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THE  GIRL   KNELT,  INDIAN   FASHION 


A     DAUGHTER 


OF    THE    FOREST 


@T  EVELYN 
RAYMOND 

Stfui'hor  o^ 
"A  Yankee  Girl"  etc. 


Ill  us  fr*a  fed  lyy 
IDA   WAUGH 


TBhe   Penn    Publishing    Company 


PHILADELPHIA 


M  C  M  I  I 


Copyright  1902  by  The  Penn  Publishing  Company 


Published  August  15,  1902 


A  Daughter  of  the  Forest 


9  ^6 

cLcuus 


Contents 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I     The  Storm 5 

II     Spirit  or  Mortal 15 

III  An  Estray  From  Civilization        .     .  27 

IV  What  was  in  the  Name         ....  40 
V     In  Aladdin  Land 53 

VI  A  One-sided  Story       .......  67 

VII  A  Woodland  Menagerie       ....  78 

VIII     King  Madoc 84 

IX     Perplexities 96 

X     Departure 109 

XI     A  Disclosure        120 

XII     Carrying 134 

XIII  A  Dead  Water  Tragedy      ....  146 

XIV  Shooting  the  Rapids 157 

XV  Science  and  Superstition      .     .     .     .  172 

XVI     Diverging  Roads 188 

XVII  In  the  Hour  of  Darkness     ....  201 

3 


M623050 


4  CONTENTS 

XVIII     The  Letter 212 

XIX     A  Question  of  Apparel 226 

XX     Coming  and  Going        241 

XXI  In  the  Great  Railway  Station    .     .  259 

XXII     Number  526         272 

XXIII  Father  and  Son 283 

XXIV  A  Hidden  Safe  Deposit 302 

XXV  The  Melody  and  Mystery  of  Life    .  319 


A  Daughter  of  the  Forest 

CHAPTER  I 

THE  STORM 

"  M argot  !     Margot !  " 

Mother  Angelique's  anxious  call  rang  out 
over  the  water,  once,  twice,  many  times. 
But,  though  she  shaded  her  brows  with  her 
hands  and  strained  her  keen  ears  to  listen, 
there  was  no  one  visible  and  no  response 
came  back  to  her.  So  she  climbed  the  hill 
again  and,  reentering  the  cabin,  began  to  stir 
with  almost  vicious  energy  the  contents  of  a 
pot  swinging  in  the  wide  fireplace.  As  she 
toiled  she  muttered  and  wagged  her  gray 
head  with  sage  misgivings. 

"  For  my  soul !  There  is  the  ver'  bad 
hoorican'  a-comm',  and  the  child  so  heed- 
less.    But  the  signs,  the  omens  !     This  same 


6  A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

day  I  did  fall  asleep  at  the  knitting  and 
waked  a-smother.  True,  'twas  Meroude,  the 
cat,  crouched  on  my  breast ;  yet  what  sent 
her  save  for  a  warning?  " 

Though  even  in  her  scolding  the  woman 
smiled,  recalling  how  Margot  had  jeered  at 
her  superstition ;  and  that  when  she  had 
dropped  her  bit  of  looking-glass  the  girl  had 
merrily  congratulated  her  on  the  fact ;  since 
by  so  doing  she  had  secured  "  two  mirrors  in 
which  to  behold  such  loveliness  !  " 

"  No,  no,  not  so.  Death  lurks  in  a  broken 
glass  ;  or,  at  the  best,  must  follow  seven  full 
years  of  bad  luck  and  sorrow." 

On  which  had  come  the  instant  reproof : 

"  Silly  Angelique  !  When  there  is  no  such 
thing  as  luck  but  all  is  of  the  will  of  God." 

The  old  nurse  had  frowned.  The  maid 
was  too  wise  for  her  years.  She  talked  too 
much  with  the  master.  It  was  not  good  for 
women  kind  to  listen  to  grave  speech  or 
plague  their  heads  with  graver  books. 
Books,  indeed,  were  for  priests  and  doctors  ; 


THE  STORM  7 

and,    maybe,    now    and    then,   for    men    who 
could    not   live    without   them,    like    Master 
Hugh.     She,    Angelique,    had    never    read    a 
book  in  all  her  life.     She  never  meant  to  do 
so.     She  had  not  even  learned  a  single  letter 
printed  in  their  foolish  pages.     Not  she.     Yet 
was  not  she  a  most  excellent  cook  and  seam- 
stress ?      Was   there   any    cabin    in    all    that 
north  land  as  tidy  as  that  she  ruled?     Would 
matters  have  been  the  better  had  she  bothered 
her  poor  brain  with  books?     She  knew  her 
duty    and    she    did    it.     What   more    could 
mortal  ? 

This  argument  had  been  early  in  the  day. 
A  day  on  which  the  master  had  gone  away  to 
the  mainland  and  the  house-mistress  had  im- 
proved by  giving  the  house  an  extra  cleaning. 
To  escape  the  soapsuds  and  the  loneliness, 
Margot  had,  also,  gone,  alone  and  unques- 
tioned ;  taking  with  her  a  luncheon  of  brown 
bread  and  cold  fowl,  her  book  and  micro- 
scope. Angelique  had  watched  the  little 
canoe    push    off  from   shore,   without    regret, 


8  A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

since  now  she  could  work  unhindered  at 
clearing  the  room  of  the  "  rubbishy  speci- 
men "  which  the  others  had  brought  in  to 
mess  the  place. 

Now,  at  supper  time,  perfect  order  reigned, 
and  perfect  quiet,  as  well ;  save  for  the  purr- 
ing of  Merou.de  upon  the  hearth  and  the 
simmering  of  the  kettle.  Angelique  wiped 
her  face  with  her  apron. 

"The  great  heat!  and  May  but  young  yet. 
It  means  trouble.     I  wish " 

Suddenly,  the  cat  waked  from  her  sleep 
and  with  a  sharp  meouw  leaped  to  her  mis- 
tress' shoulder ;  who  screamed,  dropped  the 
ladle,  splashed  the  stew,  and  boxed  the 
animal's  ears — all  within  a  few  seconds.  Her 
nerves  were  already  tingling  from  the  elec- 
tricity in  the  air,  and  her  anxiety  returned 
with  such  force  that,  again  swinging  the  crane 
around  away  from  the  fire,  she  hurried  to  the 
beach. 

To  one  so  weatherwise  the  unusual  heat, 
the  leaden   sky,   and   the  intense  hush    were 


THE  STORM  9 

ominous.  There  was  not  a  breath  of  wind 
stirring,  apparently,  yet  the  surface  of  the 
lake  was  already  dotted  by  tiny  white-caps, 
racing  and  chasing  shoreward,  like  live 
creatures  at  play.  Not  many  times,  even  in 
her  long  life  in  that  solitude,  had  Angelique 
Ricord  seen  just  that  curious  coloring  of 
cloud  and  water,  and  she  recalled  these  with 
a  shudder.  The  child  she  loved  was  strong 
and  skilful,  but  what  would  that  avail  ?  Her 
thin  face  darkened,  its  features  sharpened, 
and  making  a  trumpet  of  her  hands,  she  put 
all  her  force  into  a  long,  terrified  halloo. 

"  Ah-ho-a-ah  !  Margot — Mar-g-o-t — MAR- 
MOT !  " 

Something  clutched  her  shoulder  and  with 
another  frightened  scream  the  woman  turned 
to  confront  her  master. 

"Is  the  child  away?" 

"  Yes,  yes.     I  know  not  where." 

"  Since  when  ?  " 

"  It  seems  but  an  hour,  maybe  two,  three, 
and  she  was  here,   laughing,   singing,   all   as 


10         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

ever,  Though  it  was  before  the  midday,  and 
she  went  in  her  canoe,  still  singing," 

"  Which  way?" 

She  pointed  due  east,  but  now  into  a  gloom 
that  was  impenetrable.  On  the  instant,  the 
lapping  wavelets  became  breakers,  the  wind 
rose  to  a  deafening  shriek,  throwing  Ange- 
lique  to  the  ground  and  causing  even  the 
strong  man  to  reel  before  it.  As  soon  as  he 
could  right  himself  he  lifted  her  in  his  arms 
and  staggered  up  the  slope.  Rather,  he  was 
almost  blown  up  it  and  through  the  open 
door  into  the  cabin,  about  which  its  furnish- 
ings were  flying  wildly.  Here  the  woman 
recovered  herself  and  lent  her  aid  in  closing 
the  door  against  the  tempest,  a  task  that,  for 
a  time,  seemed  impossible.  Her  next  thought 
was  for  her  dinner-pot,  now  swaying  in  the 
fireplace,  up  which  the  draught  was  roaring 
furiously.  Once  the  precious  stew  was  in  a 
sheltered  corner,  her  courage  failed  again  and 
she  sank  down  beside  it,  moaning  and  wring- 
ing her  hands. 


THE  STORM  11 

"  It  is  the  end  of  the  world  !  " 

"  Angelique  !  " 

Her  wails  ceased.  That  was  a  tone  of 
voice  she  had  never  disobeved  in  all  her 
fifteen  years  of  service, 

"Yes,  Master  Hugh." 

"  Spread  some  blankets.  Brew  some  herb 
tea.  Get  out  a  change  of  dry  clothing.  Make 
everything  ready  against  I  bring  Margot  in." 

She  watched  him  hurrying  about  securing 
all  the  windows,  piling  wood  on  the  coals, 
straightening  the  disordered  furniture,  fasten- 
ing a  bundle  of  kindlings  to  his  own 
shoulders,  putting  matches  in  the  pocket  of 
his  closely  buttoned  coat,  and  caught  some- 
thing of  his  spirit.  After  all,  it  was  a  relief 
to  be  doing  something,  even  though  the  roar 
of  the  tempest  and  the  incessant  flashes  of 
lightning  turned  her  sick  with  fear.  But  it 
was  all  too  short  a  task  ;  and  when,  at  last, 
her  master  climbed  outward  through  a  shel- 
tered rear  window,  closing  it  behind  him,  her 
temporary  courage  sank  again  and  finally. 


12         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

11  The  broken  glass  !  the  broken  glass  !  Yet 
who  would  dream  it  is  my  darling's  bright 
young  life  must  pay  for  that  and  not  mine, 
the  old  and  careworn  ?  Ouch  !  the  blast ! 
That  bolt  struck — and  near  !  Ah  !  me  !  Ah  ! 
me  !  " 

Meroude  rubbed  pleadingly  against  her  arm 
and,  glad  of  any  living  companionship,  she 
put  out  her  hand  to  touch  him  ;  but  drew  it 
back  in  dread,  for  his  surcharged  fur  sparkled 
and  set  her  flesh  a-tingle,  while  the  whole 
room  grew  luminous  with  an  uncanny  ra- 
diance. Feeling  that  her  own  last  hour  had 
come,  poor  Angelique  crouched  still  lower  in 
her  corner  and  began  to  say  her  prayers  with 
so  much  earnestness  that  she  became  almost 
oblivious  to  the  tornado  without. 

Meanwhile,  by  stooping  and  clinging  to 
whatever  support  offered,  Hugh  Dutton  made 
his  slow  way  beachward.  But  the  bushes  up- 
rooted in  his  clasp  and  the  bowlders  slipped 
by  him  on  this  new  torrent  rushing  to  the 
lake.     Then  he  flung  himself  face  downward 


THE  STORM  13 

and  cautiously  crawled  toward  the  point  of 
rocks  whereon  he  meant  to  make  his  beacon 
fire. 

"  She  will  see  it  and  steer  by  it,"  he  re- 
flected ;  for  he  would  not  acknowledge  how 
hopeless  would  be  any  human  steering  under 
such  a  stress. 

Alas !  the  beacon  would  not  light.  The 
wind  had  turned  icy  cold  and  the  rain 
changed  to  hail  which  hurled  itself  upon  the 
tiny  blaze  and  stifled  its  first  breath.  A  sort 
of  desperate  patience  fell  on  the  man  and  he 
began  again,  with  utmost  care,  to  build  and 
shelter  his  little  stock  of  fire-wood.  Match 
after  match  he  struck  and  with  unvarying 
failure,  till  all  were  gone  ;  and  realizing  at 
last  how  chilled  and  rigid  he  was  growing  he 
struggled  to  his  feet  and  set  them  into  motion. 

Then  there  came  a  momentary  lull  in  the 
storm  and  he  shouted  aloud,  as  Angelique  had 
done : 

"  Margot !     Little  Margot !     M argot  ! ' 

Another  gust   swept  over   lake  and  island. 


14         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

He  could  hear  the  great  trees  falling  in  the 
forest,  the  bang,  bang,  bang,  of  the  deafening 
thunder,  as,  blinded  by  lightning  and  over- 
come by  exhaustion,  he  sank  down  behind  the 
pile  of  rocks  and  knew  no  more. 


CHAPTER  II 

SPIRIT    OR    MORTAL 

The  end  of  that  great  storm  was  almost  as 
sudden  as  its  beginning.  Aroused  by  the 
silence  that  succeeded  the  uproar,  Angelique 
stood  up  and  rubbed  her  limbs,  stiff  with  long 
kneeling.  The  fire  had  gone  out.  Meroude 
was  asleep  on  the  blankets  spread  for  Margot, 
who  had  not  returned,  nor  the  master.  As 
for  that  matter  the  house-mistress  had  not  ex- 
pected that  they  ever  would. 

"  There  is  nothin'  left.  I  am  alone.  It  was 
the  glass.  Ah  !  that  the  palsy  had  but  seized 
my  unlucky  hand  before  I  took  it  from  its 
shelf !  How  still  it  is.  How  clear,  too,  is  my 
darling's  laugh — it  rings  through  the  room — 
it  is  a  ghost.  It  will  haunt  me  al-ways,  al- 
ways." 

Unable   longer   to   bear  the   indoor  silence, 

15 


16         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

which  her  fancy  filled  with  familiar  sounds, 
she  unbarred  the  heavy  door  and  stepped  out. 

"  Ah  !  is  it  possible  !  Can  the  sun  be  set- 
ting that  way  ?  as  if  there  had  been  nothin' 
happeninV 

Wrecks  strewed  the  open  ground  about  the 
cabin,  poultry  coops  were  washed  away,  the 
cow  shed  was  a  heap  of  ruins,  into  which  the 
trembling  observer  dared  not  peer.  That 
Snowfoot  should  be  dead  was  a  calamity  but 
second  only  to  the  loss  of  master  and  nursling. 

"  Ah  !  my  beast,  my  beast.  The  best  in 
all  this  northern  Maine.  That  the  master 
bought  and  brought  in  the  big  canoe  for  an 
Easter  gift  to  his  so  faithful  Angelique.  And 
3ret  the  sun  sets  as  red  and  calm  as  if  all  was 
the  same  as  ever." 

It  was,  indeed,  a  scene  of  grandeur.  The 
storm,  in  passing  northward,  had  left  scattered 
banks  of  clouds,  now  colored  most  brilliantly 
by  the  setting  sun  and  widely  reflected  on  the 
once  more  placid  lake.  But  neither  the 
beauty,  nor   the   sweet,  rain-washed   air,  ap- 


SPIRIT  OR  MORTAL  17 

pealed  to  the  distracted  islander  who  faced 
the  west  and  shook  her  hand  in  impotent  rage 
toward  it. 

"  Shine,  will  yon  ?  With  the  harm  all 
done  and  nothin'  left  but  me,  old  Angelique  ! 
Pouf !  I  turn  my  back  on  you !  " 

Then  she  ran  shoreward  with  all  speed, 
dreading  what  she  might  find  yet  eager  to 
know  the  worst,  if  there  it  might  be  learned. 
With  her  apron  over  her  head  she  saw  only 
what  lay  straight  before  her  and  so  passed  the 
point  of  rocks  without  observing  her  master 
lying  behind  it.  But  a  few  steps  further  she 
paused,  arrested  by  a  sight  which  turned  her 
numb  with  superstitious  terror.  What  was 
that  coming  over  the  water  ?  A  ghost !  a 
spirit ! 

Did  spirits  paddle  canoes  and  sing  as  this 
one  was  singing  ? 

"The  boatman's  song  is  borne  along  far  over  the  water  so  blue, 
And  loud  and  clear,  the  voice  we  hear  of  the  boatman  so  honest 
and  true  ; 
He's  rowing,  rowing,  rowing  along, 

He's  rowing,  rowing,  rowing  along  — 
He's  rowing  and  singing  his  song." 


18         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Ghosts  should  sing  hymns,  not  jolly  little 
ballads  like  this,  in  which  one  could  catch 
the  very  rhythm  and  dip  of  oar  or  paddle. 
Still,  it  was  as  well  to  wait  and  see  if  this 
were  flesh  or  apparition  before  pronouncing 
judgment. 

It  was  certain \y  a  canoe,  snowy  white  and 
most  familiar — so  familiar  that  the  watcher 
began  to  lose  her  first  terror.  A  girl  knelt  in 
it,  Indian  fashion,  gracefully  and  evenly 
dipping  her  paddle  to  the  melody  of  her  lips. 
Her  bare  head  was  thrown  back  and  her  fair 
hair  floated  loose.  Her  face  was  lighted  by 
the  western  glow,  on  which  she  fixed  her  eyes 
with  such  intentness  that  she  did  not  perceive 
the  woman  who  awaited  her  with  now  such 
mixed  emotions. 

But  Tom  saw.  Tom,  the  eagle,  perched  in 
the  bow,  keen  of  vision  and  of  prejudice. 
Between  him  and  old  Angelique  was  a  grudge 
of  long  standing.  Whenever  they  met,  even 
after  a  brief  separation,  he  expressed  his  feel- 
ings by  his  hoarsest  screech.     He  did  so  now 


SPIRIT  OR  MORTAL  19 

and,  by  so  doing,  recalled  Margot  from  sky- 
gazing  and  his  enemy  from  doubt. 

"  Ah !  Angelique  !  Watching  for  me  ?  How 
kind  of  you.  Hush,  Tom.  Let  her  alone, 
good  Angelique,  poor  Angelique  !  " 

The  eagle  flapped  his  wings  with  a  melan- 
choly disdain  and  plunged  his  beak  in  his 
breast.  The  old  woman  on  the  beach  was  not 
worth  minding,  after  all,  by  a  monarch  of  the 
sky — as  he  would  be  but  for  his  broken  wing — 
but  the  girl  was  worth  everything,  even  his 
obedience. 

She  laughed  at  his  sulkiness,  plying  her 
paddle  the  faster,  and  soon  reached  the 
pebbly  beach,  where  she  sprang  out,  and 
drawing  her  canoe  out  of  the  water,  swept  her 
old  nurse  a  curtsey. 

"  Home  again,  mother,  and  hungry  for  my 
supper." 

"  Supper,  indeed  !  Breakin'  my  heart  with 
your  run-about  ways!  and  the  hoorican',  with 

ever'thin'  ruined,  ever'thin'  !    The  master 

Where's   he,  I    know   not.      The   great  pine 


20         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

broken  like  a  match  ;  the  coops,  the  cow-house, 

and  Snowfoot Ah,   me  !     Yet  the  little 

one  talks  of  supper  !  " 

Margot  looked  about  her  in  astonishment, 
scarcely  noticing  the  others  words.  The  dev- 
astation of  her  beloved  home  was  evident, 
even  down  on  the  open  beach,  and  she 
dared  not  think  what  it  might  be  further 
inland. 

"  Why,  it  must  have  been  a  cyclone  !  We 
were  reading  about  them  only  yesterday  and 
Uncle  Hugh — did  you  say  that  you  knew — 
wrhere  is  he?  " 

Angelique  shook  her  head. 

"  Can  I  tell  anything  me  ?  Into  the  storm 
he  went  and  out  of  it  he  will  come  alive,  as 
you  have.  If  the  good  Lord  wills,"  she  added 
reverently. 

The  girl  sprang  to  the  woman's  side,  and 
caught  her  arm  impatiently. 

"  Tell  me,  quick.  Where  is  he  ?  where  did 
you  last  see  him  ?  " 

"  Goin'  into  the  hoorican',  with  wood  upon 


SPIRIT  OR  MORTAL  21 

Ills  shoulder.  To  make  a  beacon  for  you. 
So  I  guess.  But  you — tell  how  you  come 
alive  out  of  all  that  ?  '  Sweeping  her  arm 
over  the  outlook. 

Margot  did  not  stop  to  answer  but  darted 
toward  the  point  of  rocks  where,  if  any- 
where, she  knew  her  guardian  would  have 
tried  his  signal  fire.  In  a  moment  she  found 
him. 

"  Angelique !       Angelique !       He's      here. 

Quick — quick He's Oh  !     is     he 

dead,  is  he  dead  ?  " 

There  was  both  French  and  Indian  blood  in 
mother  Ricord's  veins,  a  passionate  loyalty  in 
her  heart,  and  the  suppleness  of  youth  still  in 
her  spare  frame.  With  a  dash  she  was  at  the 
girl's  side  and  had  thrust  her  away,  to  kneel 
herself  and  lift  her  master's  head  from  its 
hard  pillow  of  rock. 

With  swift  nervous  motions  she  unfastened 
his  coat  and  bent  her  ear  to  his  breast. 

"  'Tis  only  a  faint,  maybe  shock.  In  all 
the  world  was  only  Margot,  and  Margot  was 


22         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

lost.  Ugh  !  the  hail.  See,  it  is  still  here — 
look !  water,  and — yes,  the  tea  !  It  was  for 
you Ah!" 

Her  words  ended  with  a  sigh  of  satisfaction 
as  a  slight  motion  stirred  the  features  into 
which  she  peered  so  earnestly,  and  she  raised 
her  master's  head  a  bit  higher.  Then  his 
eyes  slowly  opened  and  the  dazed  look  gradu- 
ally gave  place  to  a  normal  expression. 

"  Why,  Margot !  Angelique  ?  What's 
happened  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  Uncle  Hugh  !  are  you  hurt  ?  are  you 
ill  ?  I  found  you  here  behind  the  rocks  and 
Angelique  says— but  I  wasn't  hurt  at  all.  I 
wasn't  out  in  any  storm,  didn't  know  there 
had  been  one,  that  is,  worth  minding,  till  I 
came  home " 

"  Like  a  ghost  out  of  the  lake.  She  was  not 
even  dead,  not  she.  And  she  was  singin'  fit  to 
burst  her  throat  while  you  were — well,  maybe, 
not  dead,  yourself. 

At  this  juncture,  Tom,  the  inquisitive, 
thrust  his  white  head  forward  into  the  midst 


SPIRIT  OR  MORTAL  23 

of  the  group  and,  in  her  relief  from  her  first 
fear,  Margot  laughed  aloud. 

"  Don't,  Tom  !  You're  one  of  the  family, 
of  course,  and  since  none  of  the  rest  of  us  will 
die  to  please  that  broken  mirror,  you  may 
have  to  !  Especially,  if  there's  a  new  brood 
out " 

But  here  Angelique  threw  up  her  free  hand 
with  such  a  gesture  of  despair  that  Margot 
said  no  more,  and  her  face  sobered  again,  re- 
membering that,  even  though  they  were  all 
still  alive,  there  might  be  suffering  untold 
among  her  humbler  woodland  friends.  Then, 
as  Mr.  Dutton  rose,  almost  unaided,  a  fresh 
regret  came  : 

"  That  there  should  be  a  cyclone,  right  here 
at  home,  and  I  not  to  see  it !  See !  Look, 
uncle,  look  !  You  can  trace  its  very  path, 
just  as  we  read.  Away  to  the  south  there  is 
no  sign  of  it,  nor  on  the  northeast.  It  must 
have  swept  up  to  us  out  of  the  southeast  and 
taken  our  island  in  its  track.  Oh !  I  wouldn't 
have  missed  it  for  anything.'* 


24         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

The  man  rested  his  hand  upon  her  shoulder 
and  turned  her  gently  homeward.  His  weak- 
ness had  left  him  as  it  had  come  upon  him, 
with  a  suddenness  like  that  of  the  recent 
tempest.  It  was  not  the  first  seizure  of  the 
kind,  which  he  had  had,  though  neither  of 
these  others  knew  it ;  and  the  fact  added  a 
deeper  gravity  to  his  always  thoughtful  man- 
ner. 

"  I  am  most  thankful  that  you  were  not 
here ;  but  where  could  you  have  been  to 
escape  it?  " 

"  All  day  in  the  long  cave.  To  the  very 
end  of  it  I  believe,  and  see !  I  found  these. 
They  are  like  the  specimens  you  brought 
the  other  day.  They  must  be  some  rich 
metal." 

"  In  the  long  cave,  you?  Alone?  All 
day  ?  Margot,  Margot,  is  not  the  glass 
enough  ?  but  you  must  tempt  worse  luck  by 
goin'  there  !  "  cried  Angelique,  who  had  pre- 
ceded the  others  on  the  path,  but  now  faced 
about,  trembling  indignantly.     What  foolish 


SPIRIT  OR  MORTAL  25 

creature  was  this  who  would  pass  a  whole  day 
in  that  haunted  spot,  in  spite  of  the  dread- 
ful tales  that  had  been  told  of  it.  "Pouf! 
But  I  wear  out  my  poor  brain,  everlastin',  to 
study  the  charms  will  save  you  from  evil,  me. 
And  yet " 

"  You  would  do  well  to  use  some  of  your 
charms  on  Tom,  yonder.  He's  found  an 
overturned  coop  and  looks  too  happy  to  be 
out  of  mischief." 

The  woman  wheeled  again  and  was  off  up 
the  slope  like  a  flash,  where  presently  the 
king  of  birds  was  treated  to  the  indignity  of 
a  sound  boxing,  which  he  resented  with 
squawks  and  screeches,  but  not  with  talons, 
since  under  each  foot  he  held  the  plump 
body  of  a  fat  chicken. 

"  Tom  thinks  a  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth  a 
score  of  cuffs  !  and  Angelique's  so  determined 
to  have  somebody  die — I  hope  it  won't  be 
Tom.  A  pity,  though,  that  harm  should  have 
happened  to  her  own  pets.  Hark  !  What  is 
that?" 


26         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

11  Some  poor  woodland  creature  in  distress. 
The  storm — — " 

"  That's  no  sound  belonging  to  the  forest. 
But  it  is — distress  !  " 


CHAPTER  III 

AN  ESTRAY  FROM  CIVILIZATION 

They  paused  by  the  cabin  door,  left  open 
by  Angelique,  and  listened  intently.  She, 
too,  had  caught  the  alien  sound,  the  faint, 
appealing  halloo  of  a  human  voice — the  rarest 
of  all  cries  in  that  wilderness.  Even  the 
eagle's  screeches  could  not  drown  it,  but  she 
had  had  enough  of  anxieties  for  one  day. 
Let  other  people  look  out  for  themselves  ;  her 
precious  ones  should  not  stir  afield  again,  no, 
not  for  anythin'.  Let  the  evil  bird  devour 
the  dead  chickens,  if  he  must,  her  place  was 
in  the  cabin,  and  she  rushed  back  down  the 
slope,  fairly  forcing  the  others  inward  from 
the  threshold  where  they  hesitated. 

"  'Tis  a  loon.  You  should  know  that,  I 
think,  and  that  they're  always  cryin'  fit  to 
scare  the  dead.  Come.  The  supper's  waited 
this  long  time." 

27 


28         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

With  a  smile  that  disarmed  offense  Margot 
caught  the  woman's  shoulder  and  lightly 
swung  her  aside  out  of  the  way. 

"  Eat  then,  hungry  one !  I,  too,  am 
hungry,  but  — —     Hark  !  " 

The  cry  came  again,  prolonged,  entreating, 
not  to  be  confounded  with  that  of  any  forest 
wilding. 

"  It's  from  the  north  end  of  our  own  is- 
land !  " 

The  master's  ear  was  not  less  keen  than  the 
girl's,  and  both  had  the  acuteness  of  an 
Indian's,  but  his  judgment  was  better. 

"  From  the  mainland,  across  the  narrows." 
Neither  delayed,  as  a  mutual  impulse  sent 
them  toward  the  shore,  but  again  Angelique 
interposed. 

"Thoughtless  child,  have  you  no  sense? 
With  the  master  just  out  of  a  faint  that  was 
nigh  death  itself!  With  nothin'  in  his  poor 
stomach  since  the  mornin'  and  your  own  as 
empty.  Wait.  Eat.  Then  chase  loons,  if 
vou  will." 


AN  ESTRAT  FROM  CIVILIZATION       29 

Mr.  Dutton  laughed,  though  he  also 
frowned  and  cast  a  swift,  anxious  glance 
toward  Margot.  But  she  was  intent  upon 
nothing  save  answering  that  far-off  cry. 

"  Which  canoe,  uncle?  " 

"  Mine." 

The  devoted  servant  made  a  last  protest, 
and  caught  the  girl's  arm  as  it  pushed  the 
light  craft  downward  into  the  water. 

"  My  child,  he  is  not  fit.  Believe  me.  Best 
leave  others  to  their  fate  than  he  should  over- 
tax himself  again,  so  soon." 

Margot  was  astonished.  In  all  her  life  she 
had  never  before  associated  thought  of 
physical  weakness  with  her  stalwart  guardian, 
and  a  sharp  fear  of  some  unknown  trouble 
shot  through  her  heart, 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

The  master  had  reached  them  and  now  laid 
his  own  hand  upon  Angelique's  detaining 
one. 

"  There,  woman,  that's  enough.  The  storm 
has  shaken  your  nerves.     If  you're  afraid  to 


30         J  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

stay  alone,  Margot  shall  stop  with  you.     But 
let's  have  no  more  nonsense." 

Mother  Ricord  stepped  back,  away.  She 
had  done  her  best.  Let  come  what  might, 
her  conscience  was  clear. 

A  few  seconds  later  the  canoe  pushed  off 
over  the  now  darkening  water  and  its  inmates 
made  all  speed  toward  that  point  from  which 
the  cry  had  been  heard,  but  was  heard  no 
more.  However,  the  steersman  followed  a 
perfectly  direct  course  and,  if  he  were  still 
weak  from  his  seizure,  his  movement  showed 
no  signs  of  it,  so  that  Margot's  fear  for  him 
was  lost  in  the  interest  of  their  present  ad- 
venture. She  rhymed  her  own  stroke  to  her 
uncle's  and  when  he  rested  her  paddle  in- 
stantly stopped. 

"  Halloo  !  Hal-l-oo  ! '  he  shouted,  but  as 
no  answer  came,  said :  "  Now — both  to- 
gether !  " 

The  girl's  shriller  treble  may  have  had 
further  carrying  power  than  the  man's  voice, 
for  there  was  promptly  returned  to  them  an 


AN  ESTRAT  FROM  CIVILIZATION       31 

echoing  halloo,  coming  apparently  from  a 
great  distance.  But  it  was  repeated  at  close 
intervals  and  each  time  with  more  distinct- 
ness. 

"  We'll  beach  the  boat  just  yonder,  under 
that  tamarack.  Whoever  it  is  has  heard  and 
is  coming  back." 

Margot's  impatience  broke  bounds  and  she 
darted  forward  among  the  trees,  shouting : 
"  This  way  !  this  way  !  here  we  are — here  ! ' 
Her  peculiar  life  and  training  had  made  her 
absolutely  fearless,  and  she  would  have  been 
surprised  by  her  guardian's  command  to 
"  Wait !  "  had  she  heard  it,  which  she  did  not. 
Also,  she  knew  the  forest  as  other  girls  know 
their  city  streets,  and  the  dimness  was  no 
hindrance  to  her  nimble  feet.  In  a  brief 
time  she  caught  the  crashing  of  boughs  as 
some  person,  less  familiar  than  she,  blundered 
through  the  underbrush  and  finally  came 
into  view  where  a  break  in  the  timber  gave  a 
faint  light. 

"  Here  !     Here  !     This  way  !  " 


32         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

He  staggered  and  held  out  his  hands,  as  if 
for  aid,  and  Margot  clasped  them  firmly. 
They  were  cold  and  tremulous.  They  were, 
also,  slender  and  smooth,  not  at  all  like  the 
hands  of  any  men  whom  she  was  used  to 
seeing.  At  the  relief  of  her  touch,  his 
strength  left  him,  but  she  caught  his  mur- 
mured : 

"  Thank  God.     I — had — given  up " 

His  voice,  too,  was  different  from  any  she 
knew,  save  her  own  uncle's.  This  was  some- 
body, then,  from  that  outside  world  of  which 
she  dreamed  so  much  and  knew  so  little.  It 
was  like  a  fairy  tale  come  true. 

"Are  you  ill?  There.  Lean  on  me. 
Don't  fear.  Oh  !  I'm  strong,  very  strong,  and 
uncle  is  just  yonder,  coming  this  way.  Uncle 
—uncle !  " 

The  stranger  was  almost  past  speech.  Mr. 
Dutton  recognized  that  at  once  and  added  his 
support  to  Margot's.  Between  them  they 
half-led,  half-carried  the  wanderer  to  the 
canoe  and  lifted  him  into  it,  where  he  sank 


AN  ESTRAT  FROM  CIVILIZATION       33 

exhausted.  Then  they  dipped  their  paddles 
and  the  boat  shot  homeward,  racing  with 
death.  Angelique  wras  still  on  the  beach 
and  still  complaining  of  their  foolhardiness, 
but  one  word  from  her  master  silenced  that. 
"  Lend  a  hand,  woman  !  Here's  something 
real  to  worry  about.  Margot,  go  ahead  and 
get  the  lights." 

As  the  girl  sprang  from  it,  the  housekeeper 
pulled  the  boat  to  a  spot  above  the  water  and, 
stooping,  lifted  a  generous  share  of  the  burden 
it  contained. 

It  had  not  been  a  loon,  then.  No.  Well, 
she  had  known  that  from  the  beginning  just 
as  she  had  known  that  her  beloved  master 
was  in  no  fit  condition  to  go  man-huntin'. 
This  one  he  had  found  was,  probably,  dead 
anyway.  Of  course.  Somebody  had  to  die — 
beyond  chickens  and  such — had  not  the 
broken  glass  so  said? 

Even  in  the  twilight  Mr.  Dutton  could  de- 
tect the  grim  satisfaction  of  her  face  and 
smiled,   foreseeing  her  change  of  expression 


34         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

when  this  seemingly  lifeless  guest  should  re- 
vive. 

They  laid  him  on  the  lounge  that  had  been 
spread  with  blankets  for  Margot,  and  she  was 
already  beside  it,  waiting  to  administer  the 
herb  tea  which  had,  also,  been  prepared  for 
herself,  and  which  she  had  marveled  to  find 
so  opportunely  brewed. 

Mr.  Dutton  smiled  again.  In  her  simplic- 
ity the  girl  did  not  dream  that  the  now  bitter 
decoction  was  not  a  common  restorative  out- 
side their  primitive  life,  and  in  all  good  faith 
forced  a  spoonful  of  it  between  the  closed  lips. 

"  After  all,  it  doesn't  matter.  The  poor  fel- 
low is  doubtless  used  to  richer  cordials,  but 
it's  hot  and  strong  and  will  do  the  work. 
You,  Angelique,  make  us  a  pot  of  your  best 
coffee,  and  swing  round  that  dinner-pot,  The 
man  is  almost  starved,  and  I'm  on  the  road 
to  follow  him.     How  about  you,  Margot?  " 

"  Poh  !  I  guess  I'm  hungry — I  will  be — see  ! 
He's  swallowing  it.  Fast.  Give  me  that 
bigger  spoon  !     Quick  !  " 


AN  EST  RAY  FROM  CIVILIZATION       35 

"What  would  you?  Scald  the  creature's 
throat  ?  So  he  isn't  dead,  after  all.  Well, 
he  needn't  have  made  a  body  think  so,  he 
needn't.  There,  Margot !  You've  messed 
him  with  the  black  stuff!  " 

Indignantly  brushing  her  child  aside  the 
woman  seized  the  cup  and  deftly  administered 
its  entire  contents.  The  stranger  had  not  yet 
opened  his  eyes,  but  accepted  the  warm  liquid 
mechanically,  and  his  nurse  hurried  to  fill  a 
bowl  with  the  broth  of  the  stew  in  the  kettle. 
This,  in  turn,  was  taken  from  her  by  Margot, 
who  jealously  exclaimed  : 

"  He's  mine.  I  heard  him  first,  I  found 
him  first,  let  me  be  the  first  he  sees.  Dish 
up  the  supper,  please,  and  set  my  uncle's 
place." 

So  when,  a  moment  later,  having  been 
nearly  choked  by  the  more  substantial  food 
forced  into  his  mouth,  the  guest  opened  his 
eyes,  they  beheld  the  eager  face  of  a  brown 
skinned,  fair  haired  girl  very  close  to  his  and 
heard  her  joyous  cry  : 


36         A  DAUGHTER    OF  THE  FOREST 

"  He  sees  me  !  he  sees  everything !  He's 
getting  well  already  !  " 

He  had  never  seen  anybody  like  her.  Her 
hair  was  as.  abundant  as  a  mantle  and  rippled 
over  her  shoulders  like  spun  silver.  So  it 
looked  in  the  lamplight.  In  fact,  it  had 
never  been  bound  nor  covered,  and  what  in  a 
different  social  condition  might  have  been 
much  darker,  had  in  this  outdoor  life  become 
bleached  almost  white.  The  weather  which 
had  whitened  the  hair  had  tanned  the  skin  to 
bronze,  making  the  blue  eyes  more  vivid  by 
contrast  and  the  red  lips  redder.  These  were 
smiling  now,  over  well  kept  teeth,  and  there 
was  about  the  whole  bearing  of  the  maid 
something  suggestive  of  the  woodland  in 
which  she  had  been  reared. 

Purity,  honesty,  freedom,  all  spoke  in  every 
motion  and  tone,  and  to  this  observer,  at  least, 
seemed  better  than  any  beauty.  Presently,  he 
was  able  to  push  her  too  willing  hand  gently 
away  and  to  say  : 

"  Not  quite  so  fast,  please." 


AN  ESTRAT  FROM  CIVILIZATION       37 

"Oh!  uncle!  Hear  him?  He  talks  just 
as  you  do  !  Not  a  bit  like  Pierre,  or  Joe,  or 
the  rest." 

Mr.  Button  came  forward,  smiling  and 
remonstrating. 

"  My  dear,  our  new  friend  will  think  you 
quite  rude,  if  you  discuss  him  before  his  face, 
so  frankly.  But,  sir,  I  assure  you  she  means 
nothing  but  delight  at  your  recovery.  We 
are  all  most  thankful  that  you  are  here  and 
safe.  There,  Margot.  Let  the  gentleman  rest 
a  few  minutes.  Then  a  cup  of  coffee  may  be 
better  than  the  stew.  Were  you  lung  without 
food,  friend  ?  " 

The  stranger  tried  to  answer  but  the  effort 
tired  him,  and  with  a  beckoning  nod  to  the 
young  nurse,  the  woodlander  led  the  way  back 
to  the  table  and  their  own  delayed  supper. 
Both  needed  it  and  both  ate  it  rather  hastily, 
much  to  the  disgust  of  Angelique  who  felt 
that  her  skill  was  wasted  ;  but  one  was  anx- 
ious to  be  off  out  of  doors,  to  learn  the  damage 
left   by  the  storm,  and   the  other  to   be  back 


38         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

on  her  stool  beside  the  lounge.  When  Mr. 
Button  rose,  the  housekeeper  left  her  own 
seat. 

"  I'll  fetch  the  lantern,  master.  But  that's 
the  last  of  Snowfoot's  good  milk  you'll  ever 
drink,"  she  sighed,  touching  the  pitcher  sadly. 

"  What  ?     Is  anything  wrong  with  her  ?  " 

"  The  cow-house  is  in  ruins.  So  are  the 
poultry  coops.  What  with  falling  ill  your- 
self just  at  the  worst  time  and  fetchin'  home 
other  sick  folks  we  might  all  go  to  wrack  and 
nobody  the  better." 

The  familiar  grumbling  provoked  only  a 
smile  from  the  master,  who  would  readily 
have  staked  his  life  on  the  woman's  devotion 
to  "  her  people '  and  knew  that  the  ap- 
parent crossness  was  not  that  in  reality. 

"  Fie,  good  Angelique  !  Never  so  happy  as 
when  you're  miserable.  Come  on.  Nothing 
must  suffer  if  we  can  prevent.  Take  care  of 
our  guest,  Margot,  but  give  him  his  nourish- 
ment slowly,  at  intervals.  I'll  get  some  tools, 
and  join  you  at  the  shed,  Angelique," 


AN  ESTRAT  FROM  CIVILIZATION       30 

He  went  out  and  the  housekeeper  followed 
with  the  lantern,  not  needed  in  the  moonlight, 
but  possibly  of  use  at  the  fallen  cow-house. 

They  were  long  gone.  The  stranger  dozed, 
waked,  ate,  and  dozed  again.  Margot,  ac- 
customed to  early  hours,  also  slept  and 
soundly,  till  a  fearful  shriek  roused  her.  Her 
patient  was  wildly  kicking  and  striking  at 
some  hideous  monster  which  had  settled  on 
his  chest  and  would  not  be  displaced. 

"  He's  killing  me  !  Help— help  !  Oh-a-ah  !  " 


CHAPTER  IV 

WHAT   WAS    IN    THE    NAME 

Thrusting  back  the  hair  that  had  fallen 
over  her  eyes,  Margot  sprang  up  and  stared  at 
the  floundering  mass  of  legs,  arms,  and  wings 
upon  the  wide  lounge — a  battle  to  the  death, 
it  seemed.  Then  she  caught  the  assailant  in 
her  strong  hands  and  flung  him  aside,  while 
her  laughter  rang  out  in  a  way  to  make  the 
stranger,  also,  stare,  believing  she  had  gone 
crazy  with  sudden  fear. 

But  his  terror  had  restored  his  strength 
most  marvelously,  for  he  too,  leaped  to  his 
feet  and  retreated  to  the  furthest  corner  of  the 
room,  whence  he  regarded  the  scene  with 
dilated  eyes. 

"Why — why — it's  nobody,  nothing  «but 
dear  old  Tom  !  " 

"  It's  an  eagle  !     The  first " 

"  Of  course,    he's    an    eagle.       Aren't  you, 

40 


WHAT  WAS  IN  THE  NAME  41 

dear  ?  The  most  splendid  bird  in  Maine,  or 
maybe  Canada.     The  wisest,  the  most  loving, 

the Oh  !     You  big  blundering  precious 

thing  !  Scaring  people  like  that.  You  should 
be  more  civil,  sir.'' 

"  Is — is — he  tame?  " 

"  Tame  as  a  pet  chicken.  But  mischievous. 
He  wouldn't  hurt  you  for  anything." 

"  Humph  !  He  would  have  killed  me  if  1 
hadn't  waked  and  yelled." 

"  Well,  you  did  that  surely.  You  feel 
better,  don't  you  ?  " 

"  I  wish  you'd  put  him  outdoors,  or  shut 
him  up  where  he  belongs.  I  want  to  sit 
down." 

"  There's  no  reason  why  you  shouldn't," 
she  answered,  pushing  a  chair  toward  him. 

"  Where  did  you  get  it — that  creature? ' 

"  Uncle  found  him  when  he  was  ever  so 
young.  Somebody  or  something,  a  hunter  or 
some  other  bird,  had  hurt  his  wing  and  one 
foot,  Eagles  can  be  injured  by  the  least  little 
blow  upon  their  wings,  you  know." 


42         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  No.  I  know  nothing  about  them— yet. 
But  I  shall,  some  day." 

"  Oh !  I  hope  so.  They're  delightful  to 
study.     Tom   is   very   large,  we  think.     He's 

nearly    four    feet    tall,   and    his   wings — 

Spread  your  wings,  sir  !     Spread  ! ': 

Margot  had  dropped  upon  the  floor  before 
the  wide  fireplace,  her  favorite  seat.  Her 
arms  clasped  her  strange  pet's  body  while  his 
white  head  rested  lovingly  upon  her  shoulder. 
His  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  blazing  logs  and 
his  yellow  irises  gleamed  as  if  they  had  caught 
and  held  the  dancing  flames.  But  at  her 
command  he  shook  himself  free,  and  extended 
one  mighty  wing,  while  she  stretched  out  the 
other.  Their  tips  were  full  nine  feet  apart  and 
seemed  to  fill  and  darken  the  whole  place. 

In  spite  of  this  odd  girl's  fearless  handling 
of  the  bird,  it  looked  most  formidable  to  the 
vistor,  who  retreated  again  to  a  safe  distance, 
though  he  had  begun  to  advance  toward  her. 
And  again  he  implored  her  to  put  the  un- 
canny "  monster  "  out  of  the  house. 


WHAT  WAS  IN  THE  NAME  43 

Margot  laughed  ;  as  she  was  always  doing  ; 
but  going  to  the  table  filled  a  plate  with  frag- 
ments from  the  stew  and  calling  Tom,  set  the 
dish  before  him  on  the  threshold. 

"  There's  your  supper,  Thomas  the  King  ! 
Which  means,  no  more  of  Angelique's 
chickens,  dead  or  alive.'' 

The  eagle  gravely  limped  out  of  doors 
and  the  visitor  felt  relieved,  so  that  he  cast 
somewhat  longing  glances  upon  the  table,  and 
Margot  was  quick  to  understand  them.  Put- 
ting a  generous  portion  upon  another  plate, 
she  moved  a  chair  to  the  side  nearest  the 
fire. 

"  You're  so  much  stronger,  I  guess  it  won't 
hurt  you  to  take  as  much  as  you  like  now. 
When  did  you  eat  anything  before  ?': 

"  Day  before  yesterday — I  think.  I  hardly 
know.  The  time  seems  confused.  As  if  I 
had  been  wandering,  round  and  round,  for- 
ever.    I — was  almost  dead,  wasn't  I  ?  ' 

"  Yes.  But  'twas  our  housekeeper  who  was 
first  to  see  it  was  starvation.       Angelique  is  a 


44         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Canadian.     She  lived  in  the  woods  long  before 
we  came  to  them.     She  is  very  wise." 

He  made  no  comment,  being  then  too  busy 
eating  ;  but  at   length,  even  his  voracity  was 
satisfied  and  he  had  leisure  to  examine  his  sur- 
roundings.    He  looked  at  Margot  as  if  girls 
were  as  unknown  as  eagles  ;  and  indeed  such 
as  she  were — to  him,  at  least,     Her  dress  was  of 
blue  flannel,  and  of  the  same  simple  cut  that 
she  had  always  worn.     A  loose  blouse,  short 
skirt,  full  knickerbockers,  met  at  the  knees 
by  long  shoes,  or  gaiters  of  buckskin.     These 
were   as    comfortable    and    pliable   as  Indian 
moccasins,  and  the  only  footgear  she  had  ever 
known.     They  were  made  for  her  in  a  distant 
town,  whither  Mr.  Dutton  went  for  needed  sup- 
plies, and,  like  the  rest  of  her  costume,  after  a 
design  of  his  own.     She  was  certainly  uncon- 
ventional   in   manner,    but   not    from    rude- 
ness   so    much    as    from    a    desire   to    study 
him — another    unknown    "  specimen  '     from 
an    outside   world.     Her    speech   was    correct 
beyond     that    common     among     schoolgirls, 


WHAT  WAS  IN  THE  NAME  45 

and  her  gaze  was  as  friendly  as  it  was 
frank. 

•Their  scrutiny  of  each  other  was  ended  by 
her  exclaiming  : 

"  Why — you  are  not  old  !  Not  much  older 
than  Pierre,  I  believe  !  It  must  be  because 
you  are  so  dirty  that  I  thought  you  were  a 
man  like  uncle." 

"  Thank  you,"  he  answered  drily. 

But  she  had  no  intention  of  offense.  Ac- 
customed all  her  own  life  to  the  utmost  clean- 
liness, in  the  beginning  insisted  upon  by 
Angelique  because  it  was  "  proper,"  and  by 
her  guardian  for  health's  sake,  she  had  grown 
up  with  a  horror  of  the  discomfort  of  any  un- 
tidiness, and  she  felt  herself  most  remiss  in 
her  attentions,  that  she  had  not  earlier 
offered  soap  and  water.  Before  he  realized 
what  she  was  about,  she  had  sped  into  the 
little  outer  room  which  the  household  used  as 
a  lavatory  and  whirled  a  wooden  tub  into  its 
centre.  This  she  promptly  filled  with  water 
from  a  pipe  in   the   wall,  and   having  hung 


46         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

fresh  towels  on  a  chair,  returned  to  the  living 
room . 

"  I'm  so  sorry.  I  ought  to  have  thought  of 
that  right  away.  But  a  bath  is  ready  now,  if 
you  wTish  it." 

The  stranger  rose,  stammered  a  little,  but 
accepted  what  was  in  truth  a  delightful  sur- 
prise. 

"  Well,  this  is  still  more  amazing !  Into 
what  sort  of  a  spot  have  I  stumbled  ?  It's  a 
log  house,  but  with  apparently,  several  rooms. 
It  has  all  the  comforts  of  civilization  and  at 
least  this  one  luxury.  There  are  books,  too. 
I  saw  them  in  that  inner  apartment  as  I 
passed  the  open  door.  The  man  looks  like  a 
gentleman  in  the  disguise  of  a  lumberman, 
and  the  girl — what'll  she  do  next  ?  Ask  me 
where  I  came  from  and  why,  I  presume.  If 
she  does,  I'll  have  to  answer  her,  and  truth- 
fully. I  can't  fancy  anybody  lying  to  those 
blue  eyes.     Maybe  she  won't  ask." 

She  did,  however,  as  soon  as  he  reentered 
the  living  room,  refreshed  and  certainly  much 


WHAT  WAS  IN  THE  NAME  47 

more  attractive  in  appearance  than  when  he 
had  had  the  soil  and  litter  of  his  long  wan- 
dering upon  him. 

11  Oh !  how  much  more  comfortable  you 
must  be.  How  did  you  get  lost?  Is  your 
home  far  from  here?  " 

"  A  long,  long  way  ;  "  and  for  a  moment, 
something  like  sadness  touched  his  face. 
That  look  passed  quickly  and  a  defiant  ex- 
pression took  its  place. 

"  What  a  pity  !  It  will  be  so  much  harder 
to  get  word  to  your  people.  Maybe  Pierre 
can  carry  a  message,  or  show  you  the  road, 
once  you  are  strong  enough  again." 

"  Who's  Pierre  ?  " 

"  Mother  Ricord's  son.  He's  a  woodlander 
and  wiser  even  than  she  is.  He's  really  more 
French  than  Indian,  but  uncle  says  the  latter 
race  is  strongest  in  him.  It  often  is  in  his 
type." 

"  A-ah,  indeed  !  So  you  study  types  up 
here,  do  you  ?  " 

"  Yes.    Uncle  makes  it  so  interesting.     You 


48         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

see,  he  got  used  to  teaching  stupid  people 
when  he  was  a  professor  in  his  college.  I'm 
dreadfully  stupid  about  books,  though  I  do 
my  best.  But  I  love  living  things  ;  and  the 
books  about  animals,  and  races,  are  charming. 
When  they're  true,  that  is.  Often  they're 
not.  There's  one  book  on  squirrels  uncle 
keeps  as  a  curiosity,  to  show  how  little  the 
writer  knew  about  them.  And  the  pictures 
are  no  more  like  squirrels  than — than  they 
are  like  me." 

"A-ah,"  said  the  listener,  again.  "That 
explains." 

"  I  don't  know  what  you  mean.  No  mat- 
ter. It's  the  old  stupidity,  I  suppose.  How 
did  you  get  lost?  " 

"  The  same  prevailing  stupidity,"  he 
laughed.  "  Though  I  didn't  realize  it  for 
that  quality.  Just  thought  I  was  smart,  you 
know— conceit,  I — I — well,  I  didn't  get  on 
so  very  well  at  the  lumber  camp  I'd  joined. 
I  wasn't  used  to  work  of  that  sort  and  there 
didn't  seem   to  be  room,  even   in  the  woods, 


WHAT  IV AS  IN  THE  NAME  49 

for  a  greenhorn.  I  thought  it  was  easy 
enough.  I  could  find  my  way  anywhere,  in 
any  wilderness,  with  my  outfit.  I'd  brought 
that  along,  or  bought  it  after  I  left  civiliza- 
tion ;  so  one  night  I  left,  set  out  to  paddle  my 
own  canoe.  I  paddled  it  into  the  rapids, 
what  those  fellows  called  rips,  and  they 
ripped  me  to  ruin.  Upset,  lost  all  my  kit, 
tried  to  find  mv  way  back,  wandered  and 
walked  forever  and  ever,  it  seemed  to  me,  and 
— you  know  the  rest." 

"  But  I  do  not.  Did  you  keep  hallooing 
all  that  long  time?  or  how  did  it  happen  we 
heard  you  ?  " 

'k  I  was  in  a  rocky  place  when  that  tornado 
came  and  it  was  near  the  water.  I  had  just 
sense  enough  left  to  know  they  could  protect 
me  and  crept  under  them.  Oh  !  that  was 
awful — awful  !  " 

"  It  must  have  been,  but  I  was  so  deep  in 
our  cave  that  I  heard  but  little  of  it.  Uncle 
and  Angelique  thought  I  was  out  in  it  and 
lost.     Thev  suffered  about   it.  and  uncle  tried 


50         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

to   make  a  fire  and  was   sick.     We  had  just 
got  home  when  we  heard  you." 

"  After  the  storm  I  crawled  out  and  I  saw 
you  in  the  boat.  You  seemed  to  have  come 
right  out  of  the  earth  and  I  shouted,  or 
tried  to.  I  kept  on  shouting,  even  after 
you  were  out  of  sight  and  then  I  got  dis- 
couraged and  tried  once  more  to  find  a  road 
out." 

"  I  was  singing  so  loud-  I  suppose  I  didn't 
hear,  at  first.  I'm  so  sorry.  But  it's  all  right 
now.  You're  safe,  and  some  way  will  be 
found  to  get  you  to  your  home,  or  that  lum- 
ber camp,  if  you'd  rather." 

"  Suppose  I  do  not  wish  to  go  to  either 
place?     What  then?" 

M argot  stared.  "  Not — wish — to  go — to 
your  own  dear — home?" 

The  stranger  smiled  at  the  amazement  of 
her  face. 

"  Maybe  not,  Especially  as  I  don't  know 
how  I  would  be  received  there.  What  if  I 
was  foolish  and  didn't  know  when  I  was  well 


IV HAT  W 'AS  IN  THE  NAME  51 

off?  What  if  I  ran  away,  meaning  to  stay 
away  forever?  " 

"  Well,  if  it  hadn't  been  for  the  rocks,  and 
me,  it  would  have  been  forever.  But  God 
made  the  rocks  and  gave  them  to  you  for  a 
shelter  ;  and  He  made  me,  and  sent  me  out  on 
the  lake  so  you  should  see  me  and  be  found. 
If  He  wants  you  to  go  back  to  that  home 
He'll  find  a  way.  Now,  it's  queer.  Here 
we've  been  talking  ever  so  long  yet  I  don't 
know  who  you  are.  You  know  all  of  us  : 
Uncle  Hugh  Dutton,  Angelique  Ricord,  and 
me.  I'm  Margot  Romeyn.  What  is  your 
name?  " 

"Mine?  Oh!  I'm  Adrian  Wadislaw.  A 
good-for-nought,  some  people  say.  Young 
Wadislaw,  the  sinner,  son  of  old  Wadislaw, 
the  saint." 

The  answer  was  given  recklessly,  while  the 
dark  young  face  grew  sadly  bitter  and  defiant. 

After  a  moment,  something  startled  Margot 
from  the  shocked  surprise  with  which  she 
had   heard  this  harsh  reply.     It  was  a  sigh, 


52         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

almost  a  groan,  as  from  one  who  had  been 
more  deeply  startled  even  than  herself.  Turn- 
ing, she  saw  the  master  standing  in  the  door- 
way, staring  at  their  visitor  as  if  he  had  seen 
a  ghost  and  nearly  as  white  as  one  himself. 


CHAPTER  V 

IN    ALADDIN     LAND 

It  seemed  to  Margot,  watching,  that  it  was 
an  endless  time  her  uncle  stood  there  gazing 
with  that  startled  look  upon  their  guest.  In 
reality  it  was  but  a  moment.  Then  he  passsd 
his  hand  over  his  eves,  as  one  who  would 
brush  away  a  mist,  and  came  forward.  He 
was  still  unduly  pale,  but  he  spoke  in  a  cour- 
teous, almost  natural  manner,  and  quietly  ac- 
cepted the  chair  Margot  hastened  to  bring  him. 
"  You  are  getting  rested,  Mr. — ■ — " 
"  Oh  !  please  don't '  Mister '  me,  sir.  You've 
been  so  good  to  me  and  I'm  not  used  to  the 
title.  Though,  in  my  scratches  and  wood- 
dirt,  this  young  lady  did  take  me  for  an  old 
fellow.  Yes,  thanks  to  her  thoughtfulness, 
I've  found  myself  again,  and  I'm  just 
'Adrian,'  if  you'll  be  so  kind." 

53 


54         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

There  was  something  very  winning  in  this 
address,  and  it  suited  the  elder  man  well. 
The  stranger  was  scarcely  out  of  boyhood  and 
reminded  the  old  collegian  of  other  lads 
whom  he  had  known  and  loved.  "  Wadis- 
law  "  was  not  a  particularly  pleasing  name 
that  one  should  dwell  upon  it,  unless  neces- 
sary. "  Adrian ':  was  better  and  far  more 
common.  Neither  did  it  follow  that  this  per- 
son was  of  a  family  he  remembered  far  too 
well ;  and  so  Mr.  Dutton  reassured  himself. 
In  any  case  the  youth  was  now  "  the  stranger 
within  the  gates "  and  therefore  entitled  to 
the  best. 

"  Adrian,  then.  We  are  a  simple  house- 
hold, following  the  old  habit  of  early  to  bed 
and  to  rise.  You  must  be  tired  enough  to 
sleep  anywhere,  and  there  is  another  big 
lounge  in  my  study.  You  would  best  occupy 
it  to-night,  and  to-morrow  Angelique  will  fix 
you  better  quarters.  Few  guests  favor  us  in 
our  far-away  home,"  he  finished  with  a  smile 
that  was  full  of  hospitality. 


IN  ALADDIN  LAND  55 

Adrian  rose  at  once  and  bidding  Margot 
and  Angelique  good-night,  followed  his  hosl 
into  a  big  room  which,  save  for  the  log  wall?, 
might  have  been  the  library  of  some  city 
home.  It  was  a  room  which  somehow  gave 
him  the  impression  of  vastness,  liberality,  and 
freedom — an  enclosed  bit  of  the  outside  forest. 
Like  each  of  the  other  apartments  he  had 
seen  it  had  its  great  fireplace  and  its  blazing 
logs,  not  at  all  uncomfortable  now  in  the  chill 
that  had  come  after  the  storm. 

But  he  was  too  worn  out  to  notice  much 
more  than  these  details,  and  without  undress- 
ing, dropped  upon  the  lounge  and  drew  the 
Indian  blanket  over  him.  His  head  rested 
upon  great  pillows  stuffed  with  fragrant 
spruce  needles,  and  this  perfume  of  the  woods 
soothed  him  into  instant  sleep. 

But  Hugh  Dutton  stood  for  many  minutes, 
gravely  studying  the  face  of  the  unconscious 
stranger.  It  was  a  comely,  intelligent  face, 
though  marred  by  self-will  and  indulgence, 
and    with    each    passing   second    its    features 


56         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

grew  more  and  more  painfully  familiar. 
Why,  why,  had  it  come  into  his  distant  re- 
treat to  disturb  his  peace  ?  A  peace  that  it 
had  taken  fifteen  years  of  life  to  gain,  that 
had  been  achieved  only  by  bitter  struggle 
with  self  and  with  all  that  was  lowest  in  a 
noble  nature. 

"  Alas !  And  I  believed  I  had  at  last 
learned  to  forgive  !  " 

But  none  the  less  because  of  the  bitterness 
would  this  man  be  unjust.  His  very  flesh  re- 
coiled from  contact  with  that  other  flesh,  fair 
as  it  might  be  in  the  sight  of  most  eyes,  yet 
he  forced  himself  to  draw  with  utmost  gentle- 
ness the  covering  over  the  sleeper's  shoulders, 
and  to  interpose  a  screening  chair  between 
him  and  the  firelight. 

"  Well,  one  may  at  least  control  his  actions, 
if  not  his  thoughts,"  he  murmured  and 
quietly  left  the  place. 

A  few  moments  later  he  stood  regarding 
Margot,  also,  as  she  lay  in  sleep,  and  all  the 
love  of  his  strong  nature  rose  to  protect  her 


IN  ALADDIN  LAND  57 

from  the  sorrow  which  she  would  have  to  bear 
some  time  but — not  yet  !  Oh  !  not  yet !  Then 
he  turned  quickly  and  went  out  of  doors. 

There  had  been  nights  in  this  woodlander's 
life  when  no  roof  could  cover  him.  When 
even  the  forest  seemed  to  suffocate,  and  when 
he  had  found  relief  only  upon  the  bald  bare 
top  of  that  rocky  height  which  crowned  the 
island.  On  such  nights  he  had  gone  out 
early  and  come  home  with  the  daybreak,  and 
none  had  known  of  his  absence,  save,  now 
and  then,  the  faithful  Angelique,  who  knew 
the  master's  story  but  kept  it  to  herself. 

Margot  had  never  guessed  of  these  midnight 
expeditions,  nor  understood  the  peculiar  love 
and  veneration  her  guardian  had  for  that 
mountain  top.  She  better  loved  the  depths  of 
the  wonderful  forest,  with  its  flowers  and 
ferns,  and  its  furred  or  feathered  creatures. 
She  was  dreaming  of  these,  the  next  morning, 
when  her  uncle's  cheery  whistle  called  her 
to  get  up. 

A  cold  plunge,   a  swift  dressing,   and  she 


58         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

was  with  him,  seeing  no  signs  of  either  illness 
or  sorrow  in  his  genial  face,  and  eager  with 
plans  for  the  coming  day.  All  her  days  were 
delightful,  but  this  would  be  best  of  all. 

"  To  think,  uncle  dear,  that  somebody  else 
has  come  at  last  to  see  our  island  !  why,  there's 
so  much  to  show  him  I  can  hardly  wait,  nor 
know  where  best  to  begin." 

"  Suppose,  Miss  Impatience,  we  begin  with 
breakfast?  Here  comes  Adrian.  Ask  his 
opinion." 

"  Never  was  so  hungry  in  my  life  !  "  agreed 
that  youth,  as  he  came  hastily  forward  to  bid 
them  both  good-morning.  "  I  mean — not 
since  last  night.  I  wonder  if  a  fellow  that's 
been  half-starved,  or  three-quarters  even,  will 
ever  get  his  appetite  down  to  normal  again  ? 
It  seems  to  me  I  could  eat  a  whole  wild  ani- 
mal at  a  sitting  !  " 

"  So  you  shall,  boy.  So  you  shall !  "  cried 
Angelique,  who  now  came  in  carrying  a  great 
dish  of  browned  and  smoking  fish.  This  she 
placed  at  her  master's  end  of  the  table  and 


IN  ALADDIN  LAND  59 

flanked  it  with  another  platter  of  daintily 
crisped  potatoes.  There  were  heaps  of  delicate 
biscuits,  with  coffee  and  cakes  galore  ;  enough, 
the  visitor  thought,  to  satisfy  even  his  own  ex- 
travagant hunger,  and  again  he  wondered  at 
such  fare  in  such  a  wilderness. 

"  Why,  this  might  he  a  hotel  table  !  '  he 
exclaimed,  in  unfeigned  pleasure.  "  Not  much 
like  lumberman's  fare  :  salt  pork,  bad  bread, 
molasses-sweetened  tea,  and  the  everlasting 
beans.  I  hope  I  shall  never  have  to  look 
another  bean  in  the  face  !  But  that  coffee  ! 
I  never  smelled  anything  so  delicious." 

"  Had  some  last  night,"  commented  Ange- 
lique,  shortly.  She  perceived  that  this 
stranger  was  in  some  way  obnoxious  to  her 
beloved  master,  and  she  resented  the  surprise 
with  which  he  had  seen  her  take  her  own 
place  behind  the  tray.  Her  temper  seemed 
fairly  cross-edged  that  morning  and  Margot 
remarked  : 

"Don't  mind  mother.  She's  dreadfully 
disappointed    that   nobody   died   and   no  bad 


60         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

luck  followed  her  breaking  a  mirror,  yester- 
day." 

"  No  bad  luck?"  demanded  Angelique,  look- 
ing at  Adrian  with  so  marked  a  manner  that 
it  spoke  volumes.  "  And  as  for  clyin' — you've 
but  to  go  into  the  woods  and  you'll  see." 

Here  Tom  created  a  diversion  by  entering 
and  limping  straight  to  the  stranger's  side, 
who  moved  away,  then  blushed  at  his  own 
timidity,  seeing  the  amusement  with  which 
the  others  regarded  him. 

"  Oh  !  we're  all  one  family  here,  servants 
and  ever'body,"  cried  the  woman,  tossing  the 
eagle  a  crumb  of  biscuit. 

But  the  big  bird  was  not  to  be  drawn  from 
his  scrutiny  of  this  new  face  ;  and  the  gravity 
of  his  unwinking  gaze  was  certainly  discon- 
certing. 

"  Get  out,  you  uncanny  creature  !  Beg 
pardon,  Miss  Margot,  but  I'm — he  seems  to 
have  a  special  grudge  against  me." 

"  Oh  !  no.  He  doesn't  understand  who 
you  are,  yet.     We  had  a  man  here  last  year, 


IN  ALADDIN  LAND  61 

helping  uncle,  and  Tom  acted  just  as  he  does 
now.  Though  he  never  would  make  friends 
with  the  Canadian,  as  I  hope  he  will  with 
you." 

Angelique  flashed  a  glance  toward  the  girl. 
Why  should  she,  or  anybody  speak  as  if  this 
lad's  visit  wTere  to  be  a  prolonged  one?  And 
they  had,  both  she  and  the  master.  He  had 
bidden  the  servant  fill  a  fresh  "  tick  "  with 
the  dried  and  shredded  fern  leaves  and  pine 
needles,  such  as  supplied  their  own  mat- 
tresses ;  and  to  put  all  needful  furnishings 
into  the  one  disused  room  of  the  cabin. 

"  But,  master  !  When  you've  always  acted 
as  if  that  were  bein'  kept  for  somebody  who 
was  comin'  some  day.  Somebody  you  love  !  " 
she  protested. 

"  I  have  settled  the  matter,  Angelique. 
Don't  fear  that  I've  not  thought  it  all  out. 
'  Do  unto  others,'  you  know.  For  each  day 
its  duty,  its  battle  with  self,  and,  please  God, 
its  victory." 

"  He's     a    saint,    ever'body    knows ;     and 


62         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

there's  somethin'  behind  all  this  I  don't  un- 
derstand ! '  she  had  muttered,  but  had  also 
done  his  bidding,  still  complaining. 

Commonly,  meals  were  leisurely  affairs  in 
that  forest  home,  but  on  this  morning  Mr. 
Dutton  set  an  example  of  haste  that  the  others 
followed  ;  and  as  soon  as  their  appetites  were 
satisfied  he  rose  and  said  : 

"I'll  show  you  your  own  room  now, 
Adrian.  Occupy  it  as  long  as  you  wish. 
And  find  something  to  amuse  yourself  with 
while  I  am  gone  ;  for  I  have  much  to  do  out 
of  doors.  It  was  the  worst  storm,  for  its  dur- 
ation, that  ever  struck  us.  Fortunately,  most 
of  the  outbuildings  need  only  repairs,  but 
Snowfoot's  home  is  such  a  wreck  she  must 
have  a  new  one.  Margot,  will  you'  run  up 
the  signal  for  Pierre?  " 

"  Yes,  indeed  !  Though  I  believe  he  will 
come  without  it.  He'll  be  curious  about  the 
tornado,  too,  and  it's  near  his  regular  visiting 
time." 

The  room  assigned   to   Adrian  excited  his 


IN  ALADDIN  LAND  63 

fresh  surprise  ;  though  he  assured  himself  that 
he  would  be  amazed  at  nothing  further,  when 
he  saw  lying  upon  a  table  in  the  middle  of 
the  floor,  two  complete  suits  of  clothing,  ap- 
parently placed  there  by  the  thoughtful  host 
for  his  guest  to  use.  They  were  not  of  the 
latest  style,  but  perfectly  new  and  bore  the 
stamp  of  a  well-known  tailor  of  his  own  city. 

"  Where  did  he  get  them,  and  so  soon? 
What  a  mammoth  of  a  house  it  is,  though 
built  of  logs.  And  isn't  it  the  most  fitting 
and  beautiful  of  houses,  after  all  ?  Whence 
came  those  comfortable  chairs?  and  the 
books  ?  Most  of  all,  where  and  how  did  he 
get  that  wonderful  picture  over  that  magnifi- 
cent log  mantel?  It  looks  like  a  room  made 
ready  for  the  unexpected  coming  of  some 
prodigal  son  !  I'm  that,  sure  enough ;  but 
not  of  this  household.  If  I  were — well, 
maybe Oh  !  hum  !  " 

The  lad  crossed  the  floor  and  gazed  rever- 
ently at  the  solitary  painting  which  the  room 
contained.     A    marvelously  lifelike    head    of 


64         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

the  Man  of  Sorrows,  bending  forward  and 
gazing  upon  the  onlooker  with  eyes  of  in- 
finite tenderness  and  appealing.  Beneath  it 
ran  the  inscription  :  "  Come  Unto  Me  "  ;  and 
in  one  corner  was  the  artist's  signature — a 
broken  pine  branch. 

"  Whew  !  I  wonder  if  that  fellow  ran  away 
from  home  because  he  loved  a  brush  and 
paint  tube !  What  sort  of  a  spot  have  I 
strayed  into,  anyway  ?  A  paradise  ?  Hmm. 
I  wish  the  mater  could  see  me  now.  She'd 
not  be  so  unhappy  over  her  unworthy  son, 
maybe.  Bless  her,  anyhow.  If  everybody 
had  been  like  her " 

He  finished  his  soliloquy  before  an  open 
window,  through  which  he  could  see  the  sum- 
mit of  the  bare  mountain  that  crowned  the 
centre  of  the  island,  and  was  itself  crowned  by 
a  single  pine-tree.  Though  many  of  its 
branches  had  been  lopped  away,  enough  were 
left  to  form  a  sort  of  spiral  stairway  up  its 
straight  trunk  and  to  its  lofty  top. 

"  What  a  magnificent  flagstaff  that  would 


SHE   UNROLLED   THE   STARS    AND   STRIPES 


IN  ALADDIN  LAND  65 

make !  I'd  like  to  see  Old  Glory  floating 
there.  Believe  I'll  suggest  it  to  the  magician 
— that's  what  this  woodlander  is — and  doubt- 
less he'll  attend  to  that  little  matter  !  Shades 
of  Aladdin  !  " 

Adrian  was  so  startled  that  he  dropped  into 
a  chair,  the  better  to  sustain  himself  against 
further  Arabian-nights-like  discoveries. 

It  was  a  flagstaff !  Somebody  was  climbing 
it — Margot !  Up,  up,  like  a  squirrel,  her 
blond  head  appearing  first  on  one  side  then 
the  other,  a  glowing  budget  strapped  to  her 
back. 

Adrian  gasped.  No  sailor  could  have  been 
more  fleet  or  sure-footed.  It  seemed  but  a 
moment  before  that  slender  figure  had  scaled 
the  topmost  branch  and  was  unrolling  the 
brilliant  burden  it  had  borne.  The  stars  and 
stripes,  of  course.  Adrian  would  have  been 
bitterly  disappointed  if  it  had  been  anything 
else  this  agile  maiden  hoisted  from  that  dizzy 
height. 

In    wild    excitement   and    admiration    the 


66         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

watcher  leaned  out  of  his  window  and  shouted 
hoarsely  : 

"  Hurrah  !     H-u-r-rah  !     H-u-r !  " 

The  cheer  died  in  his  throat.  Something 
had  happened.  Something  too  awful  to  con- 
template. Adrian's  eyes  closed  that  he  might 
not  see.  Had  her  foot  slipped  ?  Had  his 
own  cry  reached  and  startled  her? 

For  she  was  falling — falling  !  and  the  end 
could  be  but  one. 


CHAPTER  VI 

A   ONE-SIDED  STORY 

Adrian  was  not  a  gymnast  though  he  had 
seen  and  admired  many  wonderful  feats  per- 
formed by  his  own  classmates.  But  he  had 
never  beheld  a  miracle,  and  such  he  believed 
had  been  accomplished  when,  upon  reaching 
the  foot  of  that  terrible  tree,  he  found  Margot 
sitting  beneath  it,  pale  and  shaken,  but,  ap- 
parently, unhurt. 

She  had  heard  his  breathless  crashing  up 
the  slope  and  greeted  him  with  a  smile,  and 
the  tremulous  question  : 

"  How  did  you  know  where  I  was?" 

"  You  aren't — dead  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not.  I  might  have  been, 
though,  but  God  took  care." 

"  Was  it  my  cheers  frightened  you?" 

"  Was  it  you,   then?     I  heard  something, 

6? 


68         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

different  from  the  wood  sounds,  and  I  looked 
quick  to  see.  Then  my  foot  slipped  and  I 
went  down — a  way.  I  caught  a  branch  just 
in  time  and,  please,  don't  tell  uncle.  I'd 
rather  do  that  myself." 

"  You  should  never  do  such  a  thing.  The 
idea  of  a  girl  climbing  trees  at  all,  least  of 
any,  such  a  tree  as  that !  " 

He  threw  his  head  back  and  looked  up- 
ward, through  the  green  spiral  to  the  brilliant 
sky.  The  enormous  height  revived  the  hor- 
ror he  had  felt  as  he  leaped  through  the 
window  and  rushed  to  the  mountain. 

"  Who  planned  such  a  death-trap  as  that, 
anyway  ?  " 

"I  did." 

"  You  !     A  girl !  " 

"  Yes.     Why  not.     It's  great  fun,  usually." 

"  You'd  better  have  been  learning  to  sew." 

"  I  can  sew,  but  I  don't  like  it.  Angelique 
does  that.  1  do  like  climbing  and  canoeing 
and  botanizing,  and  geologizing,  and  astronom- 
izing,  and " 


A  ONE-SIDED  STORT  69 

Adrian  threw  up  his  hands  in  protest. 

"  What  sort  of  creature  are  you,  any- 
way?" 

"  Just  plain  girl." 

"  Anything  but  that !  " 

"  Well,  girl,  without  the  adjective.  Suits 
me  rather  better  ;  "  and  she  laughed  in  a  way 
that  proved  she  was  not  suffering  from  her 
mishap. 

"  This  is  the  strangest  place  I  ever  saw. 
You  are  the  strangest  family.  We  are  cer- 
tainly in  the  backwoods  of  Maine,  yet  you 
might  be  a  Holyoke  senior,  or  a  circus  star, 
or — a  fairy." 

Margot  stretched  her  long  arms  and  looked 
at  them  quizzically. 

"  Fairies  don't  grow  so  big.  Why  don't 
you  sit  down  ?  Or,  if  you  will,  climb  up  and 
look  toward  the  narrows  on  the  north.  See 
if  Pierre's  birch  is  coming  yet." 

Again  Adrian  glanced  upward,  to  the  flag 
floating  there,  and  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"  Excuse  me,  please.     That  is,  I  suppose  I 


70         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

could  do  it,  only  seeing  you  slip — I  prefer  to 
wait  awhile." 

"  Are  you  afraid  ?  " 

There  was  no  sarcasm  in  the  question.  She 
asked  it  in  all  sincerity.  Adrian  was  different 
from  Pierre,  the  only  other  boy  she  knew,  and 
she  simply  wondered  if  tree-climbing  were 
among  his  unknown  accomplishments. 

It  had  been,  to  the  extent  possible  with  his 
city  training  and  his  brief  summer  vacations, 
though  unpracticed  of  late ;  but  no  lad  of 
spirit,  least  of  all  impetuous  Adrian,  could 
bear  even  the  suggestion  of  cowardice.  He 
did  not  sit  down,  as  she  had  bidden,  but 
tossed  aside  his  rough  jacket  and  leaped  to 
the  lower  branch  of  the  pine. 

"  Why,  it's  easy  !  It's  grand  !  "  he  called 
back  and  went  up  swiftly  enough. 

Indeed,  it  was  not  so  difficult  as  it  appeared 
from  a  distance.  Wherever  the  branches 
failed  the  spiral  ladder  had  been  perfected  by 
great  spikes  driven  into  the  trunk  and  he 
had   but  to  clasp  these  in  turn  to  make  a  safe 


A  ONE-SIDED  STORY  71 

ascent,     At  the  top  he  waved  his  hand,  then 
shaded  his  eyes  and  peered  northward. 

"  He's  coming  !  Somebody's  coming  !  "  he 
shouted.  "  There's  a  little  boat  pushing  off 
from  that  other  shore." 

Then  he  descended  with  a  rapidity  that  de- 
lighted even  himself  and  called  a  bit  of  praise 
from  M argot. 

"  I'm  so  glad  you  can  climb.  One  can  see 
so  much  more  from  the  tree-tops  ;  and,  oh  ! 
there  is  so  much,  so  much  to  find  out  all  the 
time  !     Isn't  there?  " 

"  Yes.  Decidedly.  One  of  the  things  I'd 
like  to  find  out  first  is  who  you  are  and  how 
you  came  here.     If  you're  willing." 

Then  he  added,  rather  hastily  :  "  Of  course, 
I  don't  want  to  be  impertinently  curious.  It 
only  seems  so  strange  to  find  such  educated 
people  buried  here  in  the  north  woods.  I 
don't  see  how  you  live  here.     I — I " 

But  the  more  he  tried  to  explain  the  more 
confused  he  grew,  and  Margot  merrily  simpli- 
fied matters  by  declaring  : 


72         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

11  You  are  curious,  all  the  same,  and  so  am 
I.  Let's  tell  each  other  all  about  everything 
and  then  we'll  start  straight  without  the 
bother  of  stopping  as  we  go  along.  Do  sit 
down  and  I'll  begin." 

"  Ready." 

"  There's  so  little,  I  shan't  be  long.  My  dear 
mother  was  Cecily  Dutton,  my  Uncle  Hugh's 
twin.  My  father  was  Philip  Romeyn,  uncle's 
closest  friend.  They  were  almost  more  than 
brothers  to  each  other,  always  ;  though  uncle 
was  a  student  and,  young  as  he  was,  a  pro- 
fessor at  Columbia.  Papa  was  a  business 
man,  a  banker,  or  a  cashier  in  a  bank.  He 
wasn't  rich,  but  mamma  and  uncle  had 
money.  From  the  time  they  were  boys  uncle 
and  papa  were  fond  of  the  woods.  They  were 
great  hunters,  then,  and  spent  all  the  time 
they  could  get  up  here  in  northern  Maine. 
After  the  marriage  mamma  begged  to  come 
with  them,  and  it  was  her  money  bought  this 
island,  and  the  land  along  the  shore  of  this 
lake    as  far  as  we  can  see  from  here.     Much 


A  ONESIDED  STORY  73 

farther,  too,  of  course,  because  the  trees  hide 
things.  They  built  this  log  cabin  and  it  cost 
a  great,  great  deal  to  do  it.  They  had  to 
bring  the  workmen  so  far,  but  it  was  finished 
at  last,  and  everything  was  brought  up  here 
to  make  it — -just  as  you  see." 

"  What  an  ideal  existence  !  "  . 

"  Was  it  ?  I  don't  know  much  about  ideals, 
though  uncle  talks  of  them  sometimes.  It 
was  real,  that's  all.  They  were  very,  very 
happy.  They  loved  each  other  so  dearly. 
Angelique  came  from  Canada  to  keep  the 
house  and  she  says  my  mother  was  the 
sweetest  woman  she  ever  saw.  Oh  !  I  wish — I 
wish  I  could  have  seen  her  !  Or  that  I  might 
remember  her.  I'll  show  you  her  portrait. 
It  hangs  in  my  own  room." 

"  Did  she  die  ?  " 

"  Yes.  When  I  was  a  year  old.  My  father 
had  passed  away  before  that,  and  my  mother 
was  broken-hearted.  Even  for  uncle  and  me 
she  could  not  bear  to  live.  It  was  my  father's 
wish  that  we  should  come  up  here  to  stay,  and 


74         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Uncle  Hugh  left  everything  and  came.  I 
was  to  be  reared  '  in  the  wilderness,  where 
nothing  evil  comes/  was  what  both  my 
parents   said.      So   I  have  been,   and — that's 

all." 

Adrian  was  silent  for  some  moments.  The 
girl's  face  had  grown  dreamy  and  full  of  a 
pathetic  tenderness  as  it  always  did  when  she 
discussed  her  unknown  father  and  mother, 
even  with  Angelique.  Though,  in  reality, 
she  had  not  been  allowed  to  miss  what  she 
had  never  known.  Then  she  looked  up  with 
a  smile  and  observed  : 

"  Your  turn." 

<<  Yes — I — suppose  so.  May  as  well  give 
the  end  of  my  story  first I'm  a  run- 
away." 

"Why?" 

"  No  matter  why." 

"That  isn't  fair." 

He  parried  the  indignation  of  her  look  by 
some  further  questions  of  his  own.  "  Have 
you  always  lived  here  ?  " 


A  ONE-SIDED  STORY  75 

"  Always." 

"  You     go     to     the     towns    sometimes,     I 
suppose." 

"  I've  never  seen  a  town,  except  in 
pictures." 

"  Whew  !  Don't  you  have  any  friends  ? 
Any  girls  come  to  see  you  ?  ': 

"  I  never  saw  a  girl,  only  myself  in  that 
poor  broken  glass  of  Angelique's ;  and,  of 
course,  the  pictured  ones — as  of  the  towns — 
in  the  books." 

"  You  poor  child  !  " 

Margot's  brown  face  flushed.  She  wanted 
nobody's  pity  and  she  had  not  felt  that  her 
life  was  a  singular  or  narrow  one,  till  this 
outsider  came.  A  wish  very  like  Angelique's, 
that  he  had  stayed  where  he  belonged,  arose 
in  her  heart,  but  she  dismissed  it  as  inhos- 
pitable. 

"  I'm  not  poor.  Not  in  the  least.  I  have 
everything  any  girl  could  want  and  I  have 
— uncle!  He  is  the  best,  the  wisest,  the 
noblest  man  in  all  the  world.     I  know  it,  and 


76         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

so  Angelique  says.  She's  been  in  your  towns, 
if  you  please.  Lived  in  them  and  says  she 
never  knew  what  comfort  meant  until  she 
came  to  Peace  Island  and  us.  You  don't 
understand." 

Margot  was  more  angry  than  she  had  ever 
been,  and  anger  made  her  decidedly  uncom- 
fortable.    She  sprang  up  hastily,  saying  : 

"  If  you've  nothing  to  tell,  I  must  go.  I 
want  to  get  into  the  forest  and  look  after  my 
friends  there.  The  storm  may  have  hurt 
them." 

She  was  off  down  the  mountain,  as  swift 
and  sure-footed  as  if  it  were  not  a  rough  path- 
way that  made  him  blunder  along  very 
slowly.  For  he  followed,  at  once,  feeling  that 
he  had  not  been  "  fair,"  as  she  had  accused, 
in  his  report  of  himself ;  and  that  only  a  com- 
plete confidence  was  due  these  people  who  had 
treated  him  so  kindly. 

"  Margot  !  Margot  !  Wait  a  minute ! 
You're  too  swift  for  me  !     I  want  to " 

Just  there  he  caught  his  foot  in  a  running 


A  ONE-SIDED  STORT  77 

vine,  stumbled  over  a  hidden  rock,  and  meas- 
ured his  length,  head  downward,  on  the  slope. 
He  was  not  hurt,  however,  though  vexed  and 
mortified.  But  when  he  had  picked  himself 
up  and  looked  around  the  girl  had  vanished. 


CHAPTER  VII 

A    WOODLAND     MENAGERIE 

"  Hoo-ah  !    Yo-ho  !    H-e-r-e  !    This— way  !  " 

Adrian  followed  the  voice.  It  led  .him 
aside  into  the  woods  on  the  eastern  slope,  and 
it  was  accompanied  by  an  indescribable  babel 
of  noises.  Running  water,  screaming  of  wild 
fowl,  cooing  of  pigeons,  barking  of  dogs  or 
some  other  beasts,  cackling,  chattering, 
laughter. 

All  the  sounds  of  wild  life  had  ceased  sud- 
denly in  the  tree-tops,  as  Adrian  approached, 
recognizing  and  fearing  his  alien  presence. 
But  they  were  reassured  by  Margot's  familiar 
summons,  and  soon  the  "  menagerie  "  he  had 
suspected  was  gathered  about  her. 

"  Whew  !  It  just  rains  squirrels — and 
chipmunks — and  birds !  Hello !  That's  a 
fawn.     That's  a  fox  !     As  sure  as  I'm  alive,  a 

78 


A  WOODLAND  MENAGERIE  79 

magnificent   red   fox !     Why  isn't   he   eating 

the  whole  outfit  ?     And Hurra  !  " 

To  the  amazement  of  the  watcher  there 
came  from  the  depths  of  the  woods  a  sound 
that  always  thrills  the  pulses  of  any  hunter 
— the  cry  of  a  moose-calf,  accompanied  by  a 
soft  crashing  of  branches,  growing  gradually 
louder. 

"  So  they  tame  even  the  moose — these  won- 
derful people  !  What  next !  "  and  as  Adrian 
leaned  forward  the  better  to  watch  the  ad- 
vance of  this  uncommon  "  pet,"  the  "  next ': 
concerning  which  he  had  speculated  also  ap- 
proached. Slowly  up  the  river  bank,  stalked 
a  pair  of  blue  herons,  and  for  them  Margot 
had  her  warmest  welcome. 

"  Heigho,  Xanthippe,  Socrates  !  What 
■laggards !  But  here's  your  breakfast,  or  one 
of  them.  I  suppose  you've  eaten  the  other 
long  ago.  Indeed,  you're  always  eating, 
gourmands  !  " 

The  red  fox  eyed  the  newcomers  with  a 
longing  eve  and  crept  cautiously  to  his  mis- 


80         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

tress'  side  as  she  coaxed  the  herons  nearer. 
But  she  was  always  prepared  for  any  outbreak 
of  nature  among  her  forest  friends,  and  drew 
him  also  close  to  her  with  the  caressing  touch 
she  might  have  bestowed  upon  a  beloved 
house-dog. 

"  Reynard,  you  beauty  !  Your  head  in  my 
lap,  sir  ;  "  and  dropping  to  a  sitting  posture, 
she  forced  him  to  obey  her.  There  he  lay, 
winking  but  alert,  while  she  scattered  her 
store  of  good  things  right  and  left.  There 
were  nuts  for  the  squirrels  and  'munks,  grains 
and  seeds  for  the  winged  creatures,  and  for 
the  herons,  as  well  as  Reynard,  a  few  bits  of 
dried  meat.  But  for  Browser,  the  moose-calf, 
she  pulled  the  tender  twigs  and  foliage  with 
a  lavish  hand.  When  she  had  given  some 
dainty  to  each  of  her  oddly  assorted  pets,  she 
sprang  up,  closed  the  box,  and  waved  her 
arms  in  dismissal.  The  more  timid  of  the 
creatures  obeyed  her,  but  some  held  their 
ground  persistently,  hoping  for  greater  favors. 
To  these  she  paid   no   further  attention,  and 


A  WOODLAND  MENAGERIE  SI 

still   keeping  hold  of  Reynard's  neck  started 
back  to  her  human  guest. 

The  fox,  however,  declined  to  accompany 
her.  He  distrusted  strangers  and  it  may  be 
had  designs  of  his  own  upon  some  other  for- 
est wilding. 

"  That's  the  worst  of  it.  We  tame  them 
and  they  love  us.  But  they  are  only  con- 
quered, not  changed.  Isn't  Reynard  beauti- 
ful? Doesn't  he  look  noble?  as  noble  as  a 
St.  Bernard  dog?  If  you'll  believe  me,  that 
fellow  is  thoroughly  acquainted  with  every 
one  of  Angelique's  fowls,  and  knows  he  must 
never,  never  touch  them,  yet  he'd  eat  one, 
quick  as  a  flash,  if  he  got  a  chance.  He's  a 
coward,  though  ;  and  by  his  cowardice  we 
manage  him.  Sometimes  ;  "  sighed  Margot, 
who  had  led  the  way  into  a  little  path  toward 
the  lake. 

"  How  odd  !  You  seem  actually  grieved  at 
this  state  of  things." 

••  Why  shouldn't  I  be?  I  love  him  and  1 
have  a  notion  that  love  will  do  anything  with 


82         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

anybody  or  anything.  I  do  believe  it  will, 
bnt  that  I  haven't  found  just  the  right  way 
of  showing  it.  Uncle  laughs  at  me,  a  little, 
but  helps  me  all  he  can.  Indeed,  it  is  he 
who  has  tamed  most  of  our  pets.  He  says 
it  is  the  very  best  way  to  study  natural 
history." 

"  Hmm.  He  intends  your  education  shall 
be  complete  !  " 

"  Of  course.  But  one  thing  troubles  him. 
He  cannot  teach  me  music.  And  you  seem 
surprised.  Aren't  girls,  where  you  come 
from,  educated  ?  Doesn't  everybody  prize 
knowledge  ?  " 

"  That  depends.  Our  girls  are  educated,  of 
course.  They  go  to  college  and  all  that,  but 
I  think  you'd  down  any  of  them  in  exams. 
For  my  own  part,  I  ran  away  just  because  I 
did  not  want  this  famous  '  education '  you 
value.  That  is,  I  didn't  of  a  certain  sort.  I 
wasn't  fair  with  you  awhile  ago,  you  said. 
I'd  like  to  tell  you  my  story  now." 

"  I'd  like  to  hear  it,  of  course,     But,  look 


A  WOODLAND  MENAGERIE  83 

yonder !  Did  you  ever  see  anything  like 
that  ?  " 

Margot  was  proud  of  the  surprises  she  was 
able  to  offer  this  stranger  in  her  woods,  and 
pointed  outward  over  the  lake.  They  had 
just  come  to  an  open  place  on  the  shore  and 
the  water  spread  before  them  sparkling  in  the 
sunlight,  Something  was  crossing  the  smooth 
surface,  heading  straight  for  their  island,  and 
of  a  nature  to  make  Adrian  cry  out : 

"  Oh  !  for  a  gun  !  " 


CHAPTER  VIII 

KING    MADOC 

"  If  you  had  one  you  should  not  use  it ! 
Are  you  a  dreadful  hunter?  " 

Margot  had  turned  upon  her  guest  with  a 
defiant  fear.  As  near  as  she  had  ever  come 
to  hating  anything  she  hated  the  men,  of 
whom  she  had  heard,  who  used  this  wonder- 
ful northland  as  a  murder  ground.  That 
was  what  she  named  it,  in  her  uncompro- 
mising judgment  of  those  who  killed  for  the 
sake  of  killing,  for  the  lust  of  blood  that  was 
in  them, 

"  Yes.  I  reckon  lama'  dreadful '  hunter, 
for  I  am  a  mighty  poor  shot.  But  I'd  like  a 
try  at  that  fellow.  What  horns!  What  a 
head  !  And  how  can  that  fellow  in  the  canoe 
keep  go  close  to  him,  yet  not  finish  him  ! ' 

Adrian   was  so  excited  he  could  not  stand 

84 


KING  MADOC  85 

still.  His  eyes  gleamed,  his  hands  clenched, 
and  his  whole  appearance  was  changed. 
Greatly  for  the  worse,  the  girl  thought,  re- 
garding him  with  disgust. 

"  Finish  him  ?  That's  King  Madoc,  Pierre's 
trained  bull-moose.  You'd  be  finished  your- 
self, I  fear,  if  you  harmed  that  splendid  crea- 
ture. Pierre's  a  lazy  fellow,  mostly,  but  he 
spent  a  long  time  teaching  Madoc,  and  with 
his  temper — I'm  thankful  you  lost  your  gun." 

"Do  you  never  shoot  things  up  here?  I 
saw  you  giving  the  fox  and  herons  what 
looked  like  meat.  You  had  a  stew  for  sup- 
per, and  fish  for  breakfast.  I  don't  mean  to 
be  impertinent,  but  the  sight  of  that  big 
game — —     Whew!" 

•'  Yes.  We  do  kill  things,  or  have  them 
killed,  when  it  is  necessary  for  food.  Never 
in  sport.  Man  is  almost  the  only  animal 
who  does  that.  It's  all  terrible,  seems  to  me. 
Everything  preys  upon  something  else, 
weaker  than  itself.  Sometimes  when  I  think 
of  it   mv   dinner  chokes   me.     It's  so  easy  to 


S6         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

take  life,  and  only  God  can  create  it.  But 
uncle  says  it  is  also  God's  law  to  take  what 
is  provided,  and  that  there  is  no  mistake, 
even  if  it  seems  such  to  me." 

But  there  Margot  perceived  that  Adrian 
was  not  listening.  Instead,  he  was  watching, 
with  the  intensest  interest,  the  closer  approach 
of  the  canoe,  in  which  sat  idle  Pierre,  holding 
the  reins  of  a  harness  attached  to  his  aquatic 
steed.  The  moose  swam  easily,  with  power- 
ful strokes,  and  Pierre  was  singing  a  gay 
melody,  richer  in  his  unique  possession  than 
any  king. 

When  he  touched  the  shore  and  the  great 
animal  stood  shaking  his  wet  hide,  Adrian's 
astonishment  found  vent  in  a  whirlwind  of 
questions  that  Pierre  answered  at  his  leisure 
and  after  his  kind.  But  he  walked  first  to- 
ward Margot  and  offered  a  great  bunch  of 
trailing  arbutus  flowers,  saying  : 

"  I  saw  these  just  as  I  pushed  off  and  went 
back  after  them.  What's  the  matter  here, 
that  the  flag  is  up  ?    It  was  the  biggest  storm 


KING  MADOC  87 

I  ever  saw.  Yes.  A  deal  of  beasties  are 
killed  back  on  the  mainland.  Any  dead 
over  here?  ' 

"  No,  I  am  glad  to  say,  none  that  we  know 
of.  But  Snowfoot's  shed  is  down  and  uncle 
is  going  to  build  a  new  one.  I  hope  you've 
come  to  work.'' 

Pierre  laughed  and  shrugged  his  shoulders. 

"Oh!  yes." 

But  his  interest  in  work  was  far  less  than 
in  the  stranger  whom  he  now  answered,  and 
whose  presence  on  Peace  Island  was  a  mys- 
tery to  him.  Heretofore,  the  only  visitors 
there  had  been  laborers  or  traders,  but  this 
young  fellow  so  near  his  own  age,  despite 
his  worn  clothing,  was  of  another  sort,  He 
recognized  this,  at  once,  as  Margot  had  done, 
and  his  curiosity  made  him  ask  : 

"Where'd  you  come  from?  Hurricane 
blow  you  out  the  sky  ?  " 

"  About  the  same.  I  was  lost  in  the  woods 
and  Margot  found  me  and  saved  my  life. 
What'll  you  take  for  that  moose?  ' 


88         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  There  isn't  money  enough  in  the  state  of 
Maine  to  buy  him  !  " 

"  Nonsense.  Well,  if  there  was  I  haven't 
it.  But  you  could  get  a  good  price  for  it  any- 
where." 

Pierre  looked  Adrian  over.  From  his  ap- 
pearance the  lad  was  not  likely  to  be  possessed 
of  much  cash,  but  the  moose-trainer  was  eager 
for  capital,  and  never  missed  an  opportunity 
of  seeking  it. 

"  I  want  to  go  into  the  show  business. 
What  do  you  say?  would  you  furnish  the 
tents  and  fixings?  And  share  the  profits. 
I'm  no  scholar,  but  maybe  you'd  know 
enough  to  get  out  the  hand-bills  and  so  on. 
What  do  you  say  ?  " 

"I — Say What     you     mean,     Pierre 

Ricord,  keepin'  the  master  waitin',  your  fool- 
ishness, and  him  half  sick  ?  What  kept  you 
twice  as  long  as  you  ought?  Hurry  up,  now, 
and  put  that  moose  in  the  cow-yard  and  get 
to  work." 

The  interruption  was  caused  by  Angelique, 


KING  MADOC  89 

and  it  was  curious  to  see  the  fear  with  which 
she  inspired  the  great  fellow,  her  son.  He 
forgot  the  stranger,  the  show  business,  and  all 

his  own  immediate  interests,  and  with  the 
docility  of  a  little  child  obeyed.  Unhitching 
his  odd  steed,  he  turned  the  canoe  bottom  up- 
ward on  the  beach  and  hastily  led  the  an- 
imal toward  that  part  of  the  island  clearing, 
where  Snowfoot  stood  in  a  little  fenced-in  lot 
behind  her  ruined  shed. 

Adrian  went  with  him,  and  asked  : 
"  Won't  those  two  animals  fight  ?  ' 
"  Won't   get  a  chance.     When  one  goes  in 
the  other  goes  out.     Here,  bossy,  you  can  take 
the  range  of  the  island.     Get  out  !  ' 

She  was  more  willing  to  go  than  Madoc  to 
enter  the  cramped  place,  but  the  transfer  was 
made  and  Adrian  lingered  by  the  osier  paling, 
to  observe  at  close  range  this  subjugated  mon- 
arch of  the  forest. 

"  Oh  !    for    a    palette    and    brush  !  "  he  ex- 
claimed, while  Pierre  walked  away. 
"  What  would  you  do  with  them?  ' 


90         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Margot  had  followed  the  lads  and  was 
beside  him,  though  he  had  not  heard  her 
footsteps.  Now  he  wheeled  about,  eager,  en- 
thusiastic. 

"  Paint — as  I  have  never  painted  before  ! ' 

"  Oh  ! — are  you  an — artist?  " 

"  I  want  to  be  one.     That's  why  I'm  here." 

"  What  ?     What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  I  told  you  I  was  a  runaway.  I  didn't  say 
'  why,'  before.  It's  truth.  My  people,  my — 
father — forced  me  to  college.  I  hated  it.  He 
was  forcing  me  to  business.  I  liked  art.  All 
my  friends  were  artists.  When  I  should  have 
been  at  the  books  I  was  in  their  studios. 
They  were  a  gay  crowd,  spent  money  like 
water  when  they  had  it,  merrily  starved  and 
pinched  when  they  hadn't,  A  few  were 
worse  than  spendthrifts,  and  with  my  usual 
want  of  sense  I  made  that  particular  set  my 
intimates.  I  never  had  any  money,  though, 
after  it  was  suspected  what  my  tastes  were. 
Except  a  little  that  my  mother  gave  me." 

Margot    was     listening     breathlessly     and 


KING  MADOC  91 

watching  intently.  At  the  mention  of  his 
mother  a  shadow  crossed  Adrian's  face,  soft- 
ening and  bettering  it,  and  his  whole  mood 
seemed  to  change.    . 

Their  talk  drifted  from  vexing  subjects  to 
merry  anecdotes  of  Adrian's  childhood,  in  the 
home  where  he  had  been  the  petted  only 
brother  of  a  half-dozen  elder  sisters.  But 
while  they  laughed  and  Margot  listened,  her 
fingers  were  busy  weaving  a  great  garland  of 
wild  laurel,  and  when  it  was  finished  she  rose 
and  said  : 

"  It's  getting  late.  There'll  be  just  time  to 
take  this  to  the  grave.  Will  you  go  with 
me?" 

"Yes." 

But  this  was  another  of  the  puzzling  things 
he  found  at  Peace  Island.  In  its  very  love- 
liest nook  was  the  last  resting-place  of  Cecily 
Romeyn,  and  the  sacred  spot  was  always 
beautiful  with  flowers,  or  in  the  winter,  with 
brilliant  berries.  Both  the  master  and  the 
girl  spoke  of  their   dead  as   if  she  were  still 


92         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

present  with  them  ;  or  at  least  lived  as  if  she 
were  only  removed  from  sight  but  not  from 
their  lives. 

When  Margot  had  laid  the  fresh  wreath 
upon  the  mound,  she  carefully  removed  the 
faded  flowers  of  the  day  before,  and  a  thought 
of  his  own  mother  stirred  Adrian's  heart. 

"  I  wish  I  could  send  a  bunch  of  such  blos- 
soms to  my  mother  !  ;' 

"  How  can  you  live  without  her,  since  she 
is  still  alive?  " 

His  face  hardened  again. 

"  You  forget.  I  told  you  that  she,  too, 
turned  against  me  at  the  last.  It  was  a  case 
of  husband  or  son,  and  she  made  her 
choice." 

"  Oh  !  no.  She  was  unhappy.  One  may 
do  strange  things,  then,  I  suppose.  But  I 
tell  you  one  thing,  if  I  had  either  father  or 
mother,  anywhere  in  this  world,  nothing 
should  ever,  ever  make  me  leave  them. 
Nothing.  I  would  bear  anything,  do  any- 
thing, suffer  anything — but  I  would  be  true 


KING  MADOC  93 

to  them.  I  could  not  forget  that  I  was  their 
child,  and  if  I  had  done  wrong  to  them  my 
whole  life  would  be  too  short  to  make  atone- 
ment." ' 

She  spoke  strongly,  as  she  felt.  So  early 
orphaned,  she  had  come  to  think  of  parents 
as  the  most  wonderful  blessing  in  the  power 
of  God  to  leave  one.  She  loved  her  Uncle 
Hugh  like  a  second  father,  but  her  tenderest 
dreams  were  over  the  pictured  faces  of  her 
dead. 

"  Where  is  your  father  buried?  ,: 

It  was  the  simplest,  most  natural  question. 

"  I — don't— know." 

They  stared  at  one  another.  It  was  proof 
of  her  childlike  acceptance  of  her  life  that 
she  had  never  asked.  Had  never  thought  to 
do  so,  even.  She  had  been  told  that  he  had 
"  passed  out  of  sight  '  before  they  came  to 
Peace  Island  and  the  forest,  and  had  asked 
no  further  concerning  him.  Of  his  character 
and  habits  she  had  heard  much.  Her  uncle 
was  never  weary  in  extolling  his  virtues  ;  but 


94         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

of  his  death  he  had  said  only  what  has  been 
written. 

"  But — I  must  knoAv  right  away  ! ' 

In  her  eagerness  she  ran,  and  Adrian  fol- 
lowed as  swiftly.  He  was  sorry  for  his 
thoughtless  inquiry,  but  regret  came  too  late. 
He  tried  to  call  Margot  back,  but  she  would 
not  wait. 

" 1  must  know.  I  must  know  right  away. 
Why  have  I  never  known  before?  " 

Hugh  Button  was  resting  after  a  day  of 
study  and  mental  labor,  and  his  head  leaned 
easily  upon  his  cushioned  chair.  Yet  as  his 
dear  child  entered  his  room  he  held  out  his 
arms  to  draw  her  to  his  knee. 

"In  a  minute,  uncle.  But  Adrian  has 
asked  me  something  and  it  is  the  strangest 
thing  that  I  cannot  answer  him.  Where  is 
my  father  buried  ?  " 

If  she  had  dealt  him  a  mortal  blow  he 
could  not  have  turned  more  white.  With  a 
groan  that  pierced  her  very  heart,  he  stared 
at    Margot  with   wide,   unseeing   eyes ;    then 


KING  MADOC  95 

sprang  to  his  feet  and  fixed  upon  poor  Adrian 
a  look  that  scorched. 

"You!     You?"    he    gasped,    and    sinking 
back  covered  his  face  with  his  hands. 


CHAPTER  IX 

PERPLEXITIES 

What  had  he  done  ? 

Ignorant  why  his  simple  question  should 
have  had  such  strange  results,  that  piercing 
look  made  Adrian  feel  the  veriest  culprit, 
and  he  hastened  to  leave  the  room  and  the 
cabin.  Hurrying  to  the  beach  he  appropri- 
ated Margot's  little  canvas  canoe  and  pushed 
out  upon  the  lake.  From  her  and  Pierre  he 
had  learned  to  handle  the  light  craft  with 
considerable  skill  and  he  now  worked  off  his 
excitement  by  swift  paddling,  so  that  there 
was  soon  a  wide  distance  between  him  and 
the  island. 

Then  he  paused  and  looked  around  him, 
upon  as  fair  a  scene  as  could  be  found  in  any 
land.  Unbroken  forests  bounded  this  hidden 
Lake   Profundis,  out  of  whose   placid   waters 

96 


PERPLEXITIES  97 


rose  that  mountain-crowned,  verdure-clad  Is- 
land of  Peace,  with  its  picturesque  home,  and 
its  cultured  owner,  who  had  brought  into  this 
best  of  the  wilderness  the  best  of  civilization. 

"  What  is  this  mystery  ?  How  am  I  con- 
cerned in  it?  For  I  am,  and  mystery  there 
is.  It  is  like  that  mist  over  the  island,  which 
I  can  see  and  feel  but  cannot  touch.  Pshaw  ! 
I'm  getting  sentimental,  when  I  ought  to  be 
turning  detective.  Yet  I  couldn't  do  that — 
pry  into  the  private  affairs  of  a  man  who's 
treated  me  so  generously.  What  shall  I  do  ? 
How  can  I  go  back  there  ?  But  where  else 
can  I  go?  " 

At  thought  that  he  might  never  return  to 
the  roof  he  had  quitted,  a  curious  homesick- 
ness seized  him. 

"  Who'll  hunt  what  game  they  need  ? 
Who'll  catch  their  fish?  Who'll  keep  the 
garden  growing?  Where  can  I  study  the 
forest  and  its  furry  people,  at  first  hand,  as  in 
the  Hollow?  And  I  was  doing  well.  Not  as 
I  hope  to  do,  but  getting  on.     Margot  was  a 


98         A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

merciless  critic,  but  even  she  admitted  that 
my  last  picture  had  the  look,  the  spirit  of  the 
woods.  That's  what  I  want  to  do,  what  Mr. 
D utton,  also,  approved  ;  to  bring  glimpses  of 
these  solitudes  back  to  the  cities  and  the 
thousands  who  can  never  see  them  in  any 
other  way.  Well — let  it  go.  I  can't  stay  and 
be  a  torment  to  anybody,  and  some  time,  in 
some  other  place,  maybe Ah  ! ' 

What  he  had  mistaken  for  the  laughter  of  a 
loon  was  Pierre's  halloo.  He  was  coming  back, 
then,  from  the  mainland  where  he  had  been 
absent  these  past  days.  Adrian  was  thankful. 
There  was  nothing  mysterious  or  perplexing 
about  Pierre,  whose  rule  of  life  was  extremely 
simple. 

"  Pierre  first,  second,  and  forever.  After 
Pierre,  if  there  was  anything  left,  then — any- 
body, the  nearest  at  hand  ;  "  would  have  ex- 
pressed the  situation  ;  but  his  honest,  unblush- 
ing selfishness  was  sometimes  a  relief. 

"One  always  knows  just  where  to  find 
Pierre,"  Margot  had  said. 


PERPLEXITIES  99 

So  Adrian's  answering  halloo  was  prompt, 
and  turning  about  he  watched  the  birch  leav- 
ing the  shadow  of  the  forest  and  heading 
for  himself.  It  was  soon  alongside  and  Ric- 
ord's  excited  voice  was  shouting  his  good 
news  : 

"  Run  him  up  to  seven  hundred  and 
fifty  !  " 

"  But  I  thought  there  wasn't  money  enough 
anywhere  to  buy  him  !  " 

Pierre  cocked  his  dark  head  on  one  side 
and  wTinked. 

"  Madoc  sick  and  Madoc  well  are  different." 

"  Oh  !  you  wretch.  Would  you  sell  a  sick 
moose  and  cheat  the  buyer?  " 

"  Would  I  lose  such  a  pile  of  money  for 
foolishness?     1  guess  not." 

"  But  suppose,  after  you  parted  with  him, 
he  got  well  ?  " 

Again  the  woodlander  grinned  and  winked. 

"  Could  you  drive  the  king?  " 

"No." 

"Well,    that's   all   right.      1  buy  him  back, 


100       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

what  you  call  trade.     One  do  that  many  times, 
good  enough.     If " 

Pierre  was  silent  for  some  moments,  during 
which  Adrian  had  steadily  paddled  backward 
to  the  island,  keeping  time  with  the  other 
boat,  and  without  thinking  what  he  was  doing. 
But  when  he  did  remember,  he  turned  to 
Pierre  and  asked  : 

"  Will  you  take  me  across  the  lake  again  ?  " 

"What  for?" 

"  No  matter.  I'll  just  leave  Margot's  canoe 
and  you  do  it,     There's  time  enough." 

"  What '11  you  give  me  ?  " 

"Pshaw!  Wnat  can  I  give  you?  Noth- 
ing." 

"  That's  all  right.  My  mother,  she  wants 
the  salt,"  and  he  kicked  the  sack  of  that 
valuable  article,  lying  at  his  feet,  "There. 
She's  on  the  bank  now  and  it's  not  she  will 
let  me  out  of  sight  again,  this  longtime." 

"  You'd  go  fast  enough,  for  money." 

"Maybe  not.  When  one  has  Angelique 
Ricord  for  mere Umm." 


PERPLEXITIES  101 

But  it  was  less  for  Pierre  than  for  Adrian 
that  Angelique  was  waiting,  and  her  expres- 
sion was  kinder  than  common. 

"  Carry  that  salt  to  my  kitchen  cupboard, 
son,  and  get  to  bed.  No.  You've  no  call 
to  tarry.  What  the  master's  word  is  for  his 
guest  is  nothin'  to  you." 

Pierre's  curiosity  was  roused.  Why  had 
Adrian  wanted  to  leave  the  island  at  nightfall, 
since  there  was  neither  hunting  nor  fishing  to 
be  done  ?  Sport  for  sport's  sake,  that  was  for- 
bidden. And  what  could  be  the  message  he 
was  not  to  hear?  He  meant  to  learn,  and 
lingered,  busying  himself  uselessly  in  beach- 
ing the  canoes  afresh,  after  he  had  once  care- 
fully turned  them  bottom  side  upward ;  in 
brushing  out  imaginary  dirt,  readjusting  his 
own  clothing — a  task  he  did  not  often  bother 
with — and  in  general  making  himself  a  nui- 
sance to  his  impatient  parent. 

But,  so  long  as  he  remained,  she  kept 
silence,  till  unable  to  hold  back  her  rising 
anger  she  stole  up  behind  him,  unperceived, 


102       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

and  administered  a   sounding  box  upon  his 
sizable  ears. 

"Would  you?  To  the  cupboard,  miser- 
able !  "  and  Adrian  could  not  repress  a  smile  at 
the  meekness  with  which  the  great  woodlander 
submitted  to  the  little  woman's  authority.. 

"  Xanthippe  and  Socrates  !  "  he  murmured, 
and  Pierre  heard  him.  So,  grimacing  at  him 
from  under  the  heavy  sack,  called  back  : 
"  Fifty  dollar.     Tell  her  fifty-dollar." 

"What  he  mean  by  fifty  dollar?"  de- 
manded Angelique. 

"  I  suppose  something  about  that  '  show  ' 
business  of  his.  It  is  his  ambition,  you  know, 
and  I  must  admit  I  believe  he'd  be  a  success 

at  it." 

"  Pouf !  There  is  more  better  business  than 
the  '  showin'  one,  of  takin'  God's  beasties 
into  the  towns  and  lettiiv  the  foolish  people 
stare.  The  money  comes  that  way  is  not 
good  money." 

"  Oh  !  yes.  It's  all  right,  fair  Angelique. 
But  what  is  the  word  for  me?  " 


PERPLEXITIES  103 

"It  is  :  that  you  come  with  me,  at  once,  to 
the  master.  He  will  speak  with  you  before 
he  sleeps.     Yes.     And  Adrian,  lad  ! ' 

"Well,  Angelique?" 

"  This  is  the  truth.  Remember.  When 
the  heart  is  sore  tried  the  tongue  is  often 
sharp.  There  is  death.  That  is  a  sorrow. 
God  sends  it.  There  are  sorrows  God  does 
not  send  but  the  evil  one.  Death  is  but  joy 
to  them.  What  the  master  says,  answer  ;  and 
luck  light  upon  your  lips." 

The  lad  had  never  seen  the  old  house- 
keeper so  impressive  nor  so  gentle.  At  the 
moment  it  seemed  as  if  she  almost  liked  him, 
though,  despite  the  faithfulness  with  which 
she  had  obeyed  her  master's  wishes  and 
served  him,  he  had  never  before  suspected  it. 

"  Thank  you,  Angelique.  I  am  troubled, 
too,  and  I  will  take  care  that  I  neither  say 
nor  resent  anything  harsh.  More  than  that, 
I  will  go  away.  I  have  stayed  too  long, 
already,  though  I  had  hoped  I  was  making 
myself  useful.     Is  he  in  his  own  study  ? " 


104       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Yes,  and  the  little  maid  is  with  him.  No. 
There  she  comes,  but  she  is  not  laughin',  no. 
Oh  !  the  broken  glass.  Scat,  Meroude  !  Why 
leap  upon  one  to  scare  the  breath  out,  that 
way  ?  Pst  !  Tis  here  that  tame  creatures 
grow  wild  and  wild  ones  tame.  Scat !  I 
say." 

M argot  was  coming  through  the  rooms, 
holding  Reynard  by  the  collar  she  made  him 
wear  whenever  he  was  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  hen-house,  and  Tom  limped  listlessly 
along  upon  her  other  side.  There  was  trouble 
and  perplexity  in  the  girl's  face,  and  Ange- 
lique  made  a  great  pretense  of  being  angry 
with  the  cat,  to  hide  that  in  her  own. 

But  Margot  noticed  neither  her  nor  Adrian, 
and  sitting  down  upon  the  threshold  dropped 
her  chin  in  her  hands  and  fixed  her  eyes 
upon  the  darkening  lake. 

"  Why,  mistress !  The  beast  here  at  the 
cabin,  and  it  nightfall  ?     My  poor  fowls  ! ' 

"  He's  leashed,  you  see,  Angelique.  And 
I'll    lock    the   poultry   up,    if   you   like,"   ob- 


HER    PETS   ON    EITHER    SIDE   OF    HER 


PERPLEXITIES  105 

served  Adrian.  Anything  to  delay  a  little  an 
interview  from  which  he  shrank  with  some- 
thing very  like  that  cowardice  of  which  the 
girl  had  once  accused  him. 

The  housekeeper's  ready  temper  flamed, 
and  she  laid  an  ungentle  touch  upon  the 
stranger's  shoulder. 

"  Go,  boy.  When  Master  Hugh  commands, 
'tis  not  for  such  as  we  to  disobey." 

"  All  right.  I'm  going.  And  I'll  re- 
member." 

At  the  inner  doorway  he  turned  and  looked 
back.  Margot  was  still  sitting,  thoughtful 
and  motionless,  the  firelight  from  the  great 
hearth  making  a  Rembrandt-like  silhouette 
of  her  slight  figure  against  the  outer  darkness 
and  touching  her  wonderful  hair  to  a  flood  of 
silver.  Reynard  and  the  eagle,  the  wild 
foresters  her  love  had  tamed,  stood  guard  on 
either  side.  It  was  a  picture  that  appealed  to 
Adrian's  artistic  sense  and  he  lingered  a  little, 
regarding  its  "  effects,"  even  considering  what 
pigments  would  best  convey  them. 


106       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Adrian  !  " 

"  Yes,  Angelique.     Yes." 

When  the  door  shut  behind  him  Angelique 
touched  her  darling's  shining  head,  and  the 
toil-stiffened  ringers  had  for  it  almost  a 
mother's  tenderness. 

"  Sweetheart,  the  bedtime." 

"  I  know.  I'm  going.  Angelique,  my 
uncle  sent  me  from  him  to-night.  It  was  the 
first  time  in  all  my  life  that  I  remember." 

"  Maybe,  little  stupid,  because  you've  never 
waited  for  that,  before,  but  were  quick  enough 
to  see  whenever  you  were  not  wanted." 

"  He There's    something   wrong  and 

Adrian  is  the  cause  of  it.  I — Angelique,  you 
tell  me.  Uncle  did  not  hear,  or  reply,  any- 
way.    Where  is  my  father  buried  ?  " 

Angelique  was  prepared  and  had  her  an- 
swer ready. 

"  Tis  not  for  a  servant  to  reveal  what  her 
master  hides.  No.  All  will  come  to  you  in 
good  time.  Tarry  the  master's  will.  But, 
that  silly   Pierre!     What  think  you?     Is  it 


PERPLEXITIES  107 

fifty  dollar  would   be  the   price   of  the  tame 
blue  herons  ?     Hey  ?  " 

"  No.  Nor  fifty  times  fifty.  Pierre  knows 
that,     Love  is  more  than    money." 

"  Sometimes,  to  some  folks.  Well,  what 
would  you  ?  That  son  will  be  bavin'  even 
me,  his  old  mother,  in  his  'show,'  why  not? 
As  a  cur'osity — the  only  livin'  human  bein' 
can  make  that  ingrate  mind.  Yes.  To  bed, 
my  child." 

Margot  rose  and  housed  her  pets.  This 
threat  of  Pierre's,  that  he  would  eventually 
carry  off  the  "  foresters "  and  exhibit  their 
helplessness  to  staring  crowds,  always  roused 
her  fiercest  indignation  ;  and  this  result  was 
just  what  Angelique  wanted,  at  present,  and 
she  murmured  her  satisfaction  : 

"  Good.  That  bee  will  buzz  in  her  ear  till 
she  sleeps,  and  so  sound  she'll  hear  no  dip  of 
the  paddle,  by  and  by.  Here,  Pierre,  my  son, 
you're  wanted." 

"  What  for  now  ?  Do  leave  me  be.  I'm 
going  to  bed.     I'm  just  wore  out,  trot-trottm' 


10S       A  DAUGHTER    OF  THE  FOREST 

from  Pontius  to  Pilate,  lugging  salt,  and — " 

he  finished  by  yawning  most  prodigiously. 

"  Firs'-rate  sign,  that  gapin\  Yes.  Sign 
you're  healthy  and  able  to  do  all's  needed. 
There's  no  bed  for  you  this  night.  Come. 
Here.  Take  this  basket  to  the  beach.  If 
your  canoe  needs  pitchin',  pitch  it.  There's 
the  lantern.  If  one  goes  into  the  show  busi- 
ness he  learns  right  now  to  work  and  travel 
o'  nights.  Yes.  Start.  I'll  follow  and  ex- 
plain." 


CHAPTER  X 

DEPARTURE 

But  Adrian  need  not  have  dreaded  the  in- 
terview to  which  his  host  had  summoned 
him.  Mr.  Button's  face  was  a  little  graver 
than  usual  but  his  manner  was  even  more 
kind.  He  was  a  man  to  whom  justice  seemed 
the  highest  good,  who  had  himself  suffered 
most  bitterly  from  injustice.  He  was  forcing 
himself  to  be  perfectly  fair  with  the  lad  and 
it  was  even  with  a  smile  that  he  motioned  to- 
ward an  easy-chair  opposite  himself.  The 
chair  stood  in  the  direct  light  of  the  lamp,  but 
Adrian  did  not  notice  that. 

"  Do  not  fear  me,  Adrian,  though  for  a  mo- 
ment I  forgot  myself.  For  you  personally — 
personally — I  have  only  great  good  will. 
But Will  you  answer  my  questions,  be- 
lieving that  it  is  a  painful  necessity  which 
compels  them  ?  " 

109 


110       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

<(  Certainly." 

(i  One  word  more.  Beyond  the  fact,  which 
you  confided  to  Margot,  that  you  were  a  run- 
away I  know  no  details  of  your  past  life.  I 
have  wished  not  to  know  and  have  refrained 
from  any  inquiries.  I  must  now  break  that 
silence.     What — is  your  father's  name?  " 

As  he  spoke  the  man's  hands  gripped  the 
arms  of  his  chair  more  tightly,  like  one  pre- 
pared for  an  unpleasant  answer. 

"  Malachi  Wadislaw." 

The  questioner  waited  a  moment,  during 
which  he  seemed  to  be  thinking  profoundly. 
Then  he  rallied  his  own  judgment.  It  was  an 
uncommon  name,  but  there  might  be  two 
men  bearing  it.     That  was  not  impossible. 

"Where  does  he  live?" 

"  Number — ,  Madison  Avenue,  New  York." 

A  longer  silence  than  before,  broken  by  a 
long  drawn  :  "  A-ah  !  '  There  might,  in- 
deed, be  two  men  of  one  name,  but  not  two 
residing  at  that  once  familiar  locality. 

"  Adrian,   when   you  asked   my  niece   that 


DEPARTURE  111 

question     about    her     father,    did    you — had 
you Tell  me  what  was  in  your  mind." 

The  lad's  face  showed  nothing  but  frank 
astonishment. 

"  Why,  nothing,  sir,  beyond  an  idle  cu- 
riosity. And  I'm  no  end  sorry  for  my 
thoughtlessness.  I've  seen  how  tenderly  you 
both  watch  her  mother's  grave  and  I  won- 
dered where  her  father's  was.  That  was  all. 
I  had  no  business  to  have  done  it " 

"  It  was  natural.  It  was  nothing  wrong,  in 
itself.  But — unfortunately,  it  suggested  to 
Margot  what  I  have  studiously  kept  from  her. 
For  reasons  which  I  think  best  to  keep  to  my- 
self, it  is  impossible  to  run  the  risk  of  other 
questions  which  may  rouse  other  speculations 
in  her  mind.  I  have  been  truly  glad  that  she 
could  for  a  time,  at  least,  have  the  companion- 
ship of  one  nearer  her  own  age  than  Ange- 
lique  or  me,  but  now " 

He  paused  significantly,  and  Adrian  has- 
tened to  complete  the  unfinished  sentence. 

"  Now  it  is  time  for  her  to  return  to  her  or- 


112       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

dinary  way  of  life.  I  understand  you,  of 
course.  And  I  am  going  away  at  once.  In- 
deed, I  did  start,  not  meaning  to  come  back, 
but — I  will — how  can  I  do  so,  sir?     If  I  could 


swim 


Mr.  Button's  drawn  face  softened  into  some- 
thing like  a  smile  ;  and  again,  most  gently, 
he  motioned  the  excited  boy  to  resume  his 
seat,  As  he  did  so,  he  opened  a  drawer  of  the 
table  and  produced  a  purse  that  seemed  to  be 
well  filled. 

"  Wait,  There  is  no  such  haste,  nor  are 
you  in  such  dire  need  as  you  seem  to  think. 
You  have  worked  well  and  faithfully  and  re- 
lieved me  of  much  hard  labor  that  I  have  not, 
somehow,  felt  just  equal  to.  I  have  kept  an  ac- 
count for  you  and,  if  you  will  be  good  enough 
to  see  if  it  is  right,  I  will  hand  you  the 
amount  due  you." 

He  pushed  a  paper  toward  Adrian  who 
would  not,  at  first,  touch  it, 

"  You  owe  me  nothing,  sir,  nor  can  I  take 
anything.     I  thank  you  for  your  hospitality 


DEPARTURE  113 

and  some  time "  he  stopped,  choked,  and 

made  a  telling  gesture.  it  said  plainly 
enough  that  his  pride  was  just  then  deeply 
humiliated  but  that  he  would  have  his  re- 
venge at  some  future  day. 

"Sit  down,  lad.  I  do  not  wonder  at  your 
feeling,  nor  would  you  at  mine  if  you  knew 
all.  Under  other  circumstances  we  should 
have  been  the  best  of  friends.  It  is  impossi- 
ble for  me  to  be  more  explicit,  and  it  hurts 
my  pride  as  much  to  bid  you  go  as  yours  to 
be  sent.  Some  time — but  no  matter.  What 
we  have  in  hand  is  to  arrange  for  your  de- 
parture as  speedily  and  comfortably  as  possi- 
ble.    I    would    suggest "    but    his    words 

had  the  force  of  a  command — "  that  Pierre 
convey  you  to  the  nearest  town  from  which, 
by  stage  or  railway,  you  can  reach  any  further 
place  you  choose.  If  I  were  to  offer  advice, 
it  would  be  to  go  home.  Make  your  peace 
tlu-re  ;  and  then,  if  you  desire  a  life  in  the 
woods,  seek  such  with  the  consent  and  ap- 
proval of  those  to  whom  your  duty  is  due.'' 


1U       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Adrian  said  nothing  at  first  ;  then  re- 
marked : 

u  pjerre  need  not  go  so  far.  Across  the 
lake,  to  the  mainland  is  enough.  I  can  travel 
on  foot  afterward,  and  I  know  more  about  the 
forest  now  than  when  I  lost  myself  and  you, 
or  Margot,  found  me.  I  owe  my  life  to  you. 
I  am  sorry  I  have  given  you  pain.  Sorry  for 
many  things." 

"  There  are  few  who  have  not  something  to 
regret ;  for  anything  that  has  happened  here 
no  apology  is  necessary.  As  for  saving  life, 
that  was  by  God's  will.  Now — to  business. 
You  will  see  that  I  have  reckoned  your 
wages  the  same  as  Pierre's :  thirty  dollars 
a  month  and  '  found,'  as  the  farmers  say, 
though  it  has  been  much  more  difficult  to 
find  him  than  you.  You  have  been  here 
nearly  three  months  and  eighty  dollars  is 
yours." 

"Eighty  dollars!  Whew!  I  mean,  im- 
possible. In  the  first  place  T  haven't  earned 
it ;  in   the   second,  1   couldn't  take  it  from— 


DEPARTURE  115 

from  you — if  I  had.  How  could  a  man  take 
money  from  one  who  had  saved  his  life?  ,: 

"  Easily,  I  hope,  if  he  has  common  sense. 
You  exaggerate  the  service  we  were  able  to 
do  you,  which  we  would  have  rendered  to 
anybody.  Your  earnings  will  start  you 
straight  again.  Take  them,  and  oblige  me 
by  making  no  further  objections." 

Despite  his  protests,  which  were  honest, 
Adrian  could  not  but  be  delighted  at  the 
thought  of  possessing  so  goodly  a  sum.  It 
was  the  first  money  he  had  ever  earned, 
therefore  better  than  any  other  ever  could  be, 
and  as  he  put  it,  in  his  own  thoughts  :  "  it 
changed  him  from  a  beggar  to  a  prince." 
Yet  he  made  a  final  protest,  asking  : 

"Have  I  really,  really,  and  justly  earned 
all  this?     Do  you  surely  mean  it?  ' 

"  I  am  not  in  the  habit  of  saying  anything 
I  do  not  mean.  It  is  getting  late,  and  if  you 
are  to  go  to-night,  it  would  be  better  to  start 
soon,"  answered  Mr.  Dutton,  with  a  frown. 

"  Beg    pardon.      But    I'm    always    saving 


116       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

what  I  should  not,  or  putting  the  right  things 
backward.  There  are  some  affairs  '  not  men- 
tioned in  the  bond  '  :  my  artist's  outfit,  these 
clothes,  boots,  and  other  matters.  I  want  to 
pay  the  cost  of  them.  Indeed,  I  must.  You 
must  allow  me,  as  you  would  any  other  man." 
The  woodlander  hesitated  a  moment  as  if 
he  were  considering.  He  would  have  pre- 
ferred no  return  for  anything,  but  again  that 
effort  to  be  wholly  just  influenced  him. 

"  For  the  clothing,  if  you  so  desire,  cer- 
tainly. Here,  in  this  account  book,  is  a  price 
list  of  all  such  articles  as  I  buy.  We  will 
deduct  that  much.  But  I  hope,  in  considera- 
tion of  the  pleasure  that  your  talent  has  given 
me,  that  you  will  accept  the  painting  stuff  I 
so  gladly  provided.  If  you  choose,  also,  you 
may  leave  a  small  gift  for  Angelique.  Come. 
Pride  is  commendable,  but  not  always." 

"  Very   well.     Thank    you,   then,  for  your 
gift.     Now,  the  price  list." 

It  had  been  a  gratification   to  Mr.  Dutton 
that  Adrian  had  never  worn  the  suits  of  cloth- 


DEPARTURE  117 

ing  which  he  had  laid  out  ready  for  use,  on 
that  morning  after  his  arrival  at  the  island. 
The  lad  had  preferred  the  rougher  costume 
suited  to  the  woods  and  still  wore  it. 

In  a  few  moments  the  small  business  trans- 
actions were  settled,  and  Adrian  rose. 

"  I  would  like  to  bid  Margot  good-bye.  But, 
I  suppose,  she  has  gone  to  bed.'' 

"  Yes.  I  will  give  her  your  message. 
There  is  always  a  pain  in  parting  and  you 
two  have  been  much  together.  I  would  spare 
her  as  much  as  I  can.  Angel ique  has  packed 
a  basket  of  food  and  Pierre  is  on  the  beach 
with  his  canoe.  He  ma}7  go  as  far  with  you 
as  you  desire,  and  you  must  pay  him  nothing 
for  his  service.  He  is  already  paid,  though 
his  greed  might  make  him  despoil  you,  if  he 
could.     Good-bye.     I  wish  you  well." 

Mr.  Duttou  had  also  risen,  and  as  he  moved 
forward  into  the  lamplight  Adrian  noticed 
how  much  altered  for  the  worse  was  his  phys- 
ical bearing.  The  man  seemed  to  have  aged 
by    many    years   and    his   fine   head  was  now 


118       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

snow-white.  He  half  extended  his  hand,  in 
response  to  the  lad's  proffered  clasp,  then 
dropped  it  to  his  side.  He  hoped  that  the  de- 
parting guest  had  not  observed  this  inhospi- 
table movement — but  he  had.  Possibly,  it 
helped  him  over  an  awkward  moment,  by 
touching  his  pride  afresh. 

"  Good-bye,  sir,  and  again — thank  you.  For 
the  present,  that  is  all  I  can  do.  Yet  I  have 
heard  it  was  not  so  big  a  world,  after  all,  and 
my  chance  may  come.  I'll  get  my  traps  from 
my  room,  if  you  please,  and  one  or  two  little 
drawings  as  souvenirs.     I'll  not  be  long." 

Fifteen  minutes  later  Pierre  was  paddling 
vigorously  toward  the  further  side  of  the  lake 
and  Adrian  was  straining  his  eyes  for  the  last 
glimpse  of  the  beautiful  island  which  even 
now,  in  his  banishment  from  it,  seemed  his 
real  and  beloved  home.  It  became  a  vague 
and  shadowy  outline,  as  silent  as  the  stars 
that  brooded  over  it ;  and  again  lie  marveled 
what  the  mystery  might  be  which  enshrouded 
it,  and  why  he  should  be  connected  with  it. 


DEPARTURE  119 

"  Now  that  I  am  no  longer  its  guest,  there 
is  no  dishonor  in  my  rinding  out  ;  and  rind 
out—I  will  !  " 

"Hey?"  asked  Pierre,  so  suddenly,  that 
Adrian  jumped  and  nearly  upset  the  boat. 
"  Oh  !  I  thought  you  .said  somethin\  Say, 
ain't  this  a  go?  What  you  done  that  make 
the  master  shut  the  door  on  you  ?  I  never 
knew  him  do  it  before.     Hey  ? 

"  Nothing.  Keep  quiet.  I  don't  feel  like 
talking." 

"Pr-r-r-rp!  Look  a  here,  young  fello'. 
Me  and  you's  alone  on  this  dead  water  arid  I 
can  swim — you  can't.  I've  got  all  I  expect 
to  get  out  the  trip  and  I've  no  notion  o' 
makiiv  it.  Not  'less  things  go  to  my  thinkin'. 
Now,  I'll  rest  a  spell.     You  paddle  !  ' 

With  that,  he  began  to  rock  the  frail  craft 
violently  and  Adrian's  attention  was  recalled 
to  the  necessity  of  saving  his  own  life. 


CHAPTER  XI 

A    DISCLOSURE 

As  the  sun  rose,  Margot  came  out  of  her 
own  room,  fresh  from  her  plunge  that  had 
washed  all  drowsiness  away,  as  the  good  sleep 
had  also  banished  all  perplexities.  Happy  at 
all  times,  she  was  most  so  at  morning,  when, 
to  her  nature-loving  eyes,  the  world  seemed 
to  have  been  made  anew  and  doubly  beauti- 
ful. The  gay  little  melodies  she  had  picked 
up  from  Pierre,  or  Angelique — who  had  been 
a  sweet  singer  in  her  day — and  now  again 
from  Adrian,  were  always  on  her  lips  at  such 
an  hour,  and  were  dear  beyond  expression  to 
her  uncle's  ears. 

But  this  morning  she  seemed  to  be  singing 
them  to  the  empty  air.  There  was  nobody 
in  the  living  room,  nor  in  the  "  study- 
library,"   as   the  housekeeper  called  the  room 

120 


A  DISCLOSURE  121 

of  books,  nor  even  in  the  kitchen.  That  was 
oddest  of  all !  For  there,  at  least,  should 
Angelique  have  been,  frying,  or  stewing,  or 
broiling,  as  the  case  might  be.  Yet  the  coffee 
stood  simmering,  at  one  corner  of  the  hearth 
and  a  bowl  of  eggs  waited  ready  for  the 
omelet  which  Angelique  could  make  to  per- 
fection. 

"  Why,  how  still  it  is  !  As  if  everybody 
had  gone  away  and  left  the  island  alone." 

She  ran  to  the  door  and  called  :  "  Adrian  ! ' 

No  answer. 

"  Pierre  !  Angelique  !  Where  is  every- 
body?" 

Then  she  saw  Angelique  coming  down  the 
slope  and  ran  to  meet  her.  With  one  hand 
the  woman  carried  a  brimming  pail  of  milk 
and  with  the  other  dragged  by  his  collar  the 
reluctant  form  of  Reynard,  who  appeared  as 
guilty  and  subdued  as  if  he  had  been  born 
a  slave  not  free.  To  make  matters  more 
difficult,  Meroude  was  surreptitiously  help- 
ing   herself    to    a     breakfast    from    the    pail 


122       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

and    thereby  ruining    its    contents    for  other 
uses. 

"  Oh  !  the  plague  of  a  life  with  such  beasts  ! 
And  him  the  worst  o'  they  all.  The  ver' 
next  time  my  Pierre  goes  cross-lake,  that  fox 
goes  or  I  do  !  There's  no  room  on  the  island 
for  the  two  of  us.  No.  Indeed  no.  The 
harm  comes  of  takin'  in  folks  and  beasties 
and  friendin'  them  'at  don't  deserve  it,  What 
now,  think  you  ?  " 

Margot  had  run  the  faster,  as  soon  as  she 
descried  poor  Reynard's  abject  state,  and  had 
taken  him  under  her  own  protection,  which 
immediately  restored  him  to  his  natural  pride 
and  noble  bearing. 

"  I  think  nothing  evil  of  my  pet,  believe 
that !  See  the  beauty  now  !  That's  the  dif- 
ference between  harsh  words  and  loving  ones. 
If  you'd  only  treat  the  '  beasties '  as  well  as 
you  do  me,  Angelique  dear,  you'd  have  less 
cause  for  scolding.  What  I  think  now  is — 
speckled  rooster.     Right?" 

"  Aye.     Dead    as   dead ;    and    the    feathers 


A  DISCLOSURE  123 

still  stickin'  to  the  villain's  jaws.  What's  the 
life  of  such  brutes  to  that  o'  good  fowls? 
Pst!  Meroude!  Scat!  Well,  if  it's  milk 
you  will,  milk  you  shall  !  '  and,  turning 
angrily  about,  Snowfoot's  mistress  dashed  the 
entire  contents  of  her  pail  over  the  annoying 
cat. 

Margot  laughed  till  the  tears  came.  "  Why, 
Angelique  !  only  the  other  day,  in  that  quaint 
old  l  Book  of  Beauty  '  uncle  has,  I  read  how  a 
Queen  of  Naples,  and  some  noted  Parisian 
beauties,  used  baths  of  milk  for  their,  com- 
plexions ;  but  poor  Meroude's  a  hopeless 
case,  I  fear." 

Angelique's  countenance  took  on  a  grim 
expression.  "  Mistress  Meroude's  got  a  day's 
job  to  clean  herself,  the  greedy.  It's  not  her 
nose  '11  go  in  the  pail  another  mornin'.  No. 
No,  indeed." 

"  And  it  was  so  full.  Yet  that's  the  same 
Snowfoot  who  was  to  give  us  no  more,  be- 
cause of  the  broken  glass.  Angelique,  where's 
uncle  V 


124       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  How  should  I  tell?  Am  1  set  to  spy  the 
master's  ins  and  outs?  " 

"  Funny  Angelique  !  You're  not  set  to  do 
it,  but  you  can  usually  tell  them.  And 
where's  Adrian?  I've  called  and  called,  but 
nobody  answers.  I  can't  guess  where  they 
all  are.  Even  Pierre  is  out  of  sight,  and  he's 
mostly  to  be  found  at  the  kitchen  door  when 
meal  time  comes." 

"  There,  there,  child.  You  can  ask  more 
questions  than  old  Angelique  can  answer. 
But  the  breakfast.  That's  a  good  thought. 
So  be.  Whisk  in  and  mix  the  batter  cakes 
for  the  master's  eatin'.  'Tis  he,  foolish  man, 
finds  they  have  better  savor  from  Margot's 
fingers  than  mine.  Simple  one,  with  all  his 
wisdom." 

"  It's  love  gives  them  savor,  sweet  Ange- 
lique !  and  the  desire  to  see  me  a  proper 
housewife.  I  wonder  why  he  cares  about 
that,  since  you  are  here  to  do  such  things." 

"  Ah  !  The  '  I  wonders  !  '  and  the  '  Is  its  ?  ' 
of  a  maid  !     They  set  the  head  awhirl.     The 


A  DISCLOSURE  125 

batter   cakes,    my   child.      I    see    the   master 
comin'  down  the  hill  this  minute." 

Margot  paused  long  enough  to  caress  Tom, 
the  eagle,  who  met  her  on  the  path,  then  sped 
indoors,  leaving  Reynard  to  his  own  devices 
and  Angelique's  not  too  tender  mercies.  But 
she  put  all  her  energy  into  the  task  assigned 
her  and  proudly  placed  a  plate  of  her  uncle's 
favorite  dainty  before  him  when  he  took  his 
seat  at  table.  Till  then  she  had  not  noticed 
its  altered  arrangement,  and  even  her  guar- 
dian's coveted :  "  Well  done,  little  house- 
keeper !  "  could  not  banish  the  sudden  fear 
that  assailed  her. 

"  Why.  what  does  it  mean  ?  Where  is 
Adrian?  Where  Pierre?  Why  are  only 
dishes  for  three?  " 

"  Pst  !  my  child  !  Hast  been  askin'  ques- 
tions in  the  sleep?  Sure,  you  have  ever 
since  your  eyes  flew  open.  Say  your  grace 
and  eat  your  meat,  and  let  the  ,  master 
rest." 

"  Yes,    darling.     Angelique    is    wise.     Eat 


126       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

your  breakfast  as  usual,  and  afterward  I  will 
tell  you  all— that  you  should  know." 

"  But,  I  cannot  eat,  It  chokes  me.  It 
seems  so  awfully  still  and  strange  and  empty. 
As  I  should  think  it  might  be,  were  somebody 
dead." 

Angelique's  scant  patience  was  exhausted. 
Not  only  was  her  loyal  heart  tried  by  her 
master's  troubles,  but  she  had  had  added 
labor  to  accomplish.  During  all  that  sum- 
mer two  strong  and,  at  least  one,  willing  lad 
had  been  at  hand  to  do  the  various  chores 
pertaining  to  all  country  homes,  however  iso- 
lated. That  morning  she  had  brought  in  her 
own  supply  of  fire-wood,  filled  her  buckets 
from  the  spring,  attended  the  poultry,  fed  the 
oxen,  milked  Snowfoot,  wrestled  over  the  in- 
iquity of  Reynard  and  grieved  at  the  un- 
timely death  of  the  speckled  rooster  :  "  When 
he  would  have  made  such  a  lovely  fricasee, 
yes.     Indeed,  'twas  a  sinful  waste  !  ' 

Though  none  of  these  tasks  were  new  or 
arduous  to  her,  she  had  not  performed  them 


A  DISCLOSURE  127 

during  the  past  weeks,  save  and  except  the 
care  of  her  cow.  That  she  had  never  en- 
trusted to  anybody,  not  even  the  master  ;  and 
it  was  to  spare  him  that  she  had  done  some 
of  the  things  he  meant  to  attend  to  later. 
Now  she  had  reached  her  limit. 

"  Angelique  wants  her  breakfast,  child. 
She  has  been  long  astir.  After  that  the  del- 
uge !  "  quoted  Mr.  Button,  with  an  attempt  at 
lightness  which  did  not  agree  with  his  real 
depression. 

Margot  made  heroic  efforts  to  act  as  usual 
but  they  ended  in  failure,  and  as  soon  as 
might  be  her  guardian  pushed  back  his  chair 
and  she  promptly  did  the  same. 

"  Now  I  can  ask  as  many  questions  as  I 
please,  can't  I  ?     First,  where  are  they  ? ' 

"  They  have  gone  across  the  lake,  south- 
ward, I  suppose.  Toward  whatever  place  or 
town  Adrian  selects.  He  will  not  come  back 
but  Pierre  will  do  so,  after  he  has  guided  the 
other  to  some  safe  point  beyond  the  woods, 
flow  soon  I  do  not  know,  of  course." 


128       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"Gone!  Without  bidding  me  good-bye? 
Gone  to  stay  ?  Oh  !  uncle,  how  could  he  ?  I 
know  you  didn't  like  him  but  I  did.  He 
was " 

Margot  dropped  her  face  in  her  hands  and 
sobbed  bitterly.  Then  ashamed  of  her  unac- 
customed tears  she  ran  out  of  the  house  and 
as  far  from  it  as  she  could.  But  even  the 
blue  herons  could  give  her  no  amusement, 
though  they  stalked  gravely  up  the  river 
bank  and  posed  beside  her,  where  she  lay 
prone  and  disconsolate  in  Harmony  Hollow. 
Her  squirrels  saw  and  wondered,  for  she  had 
no  returning  chatter  for  them,  even  when 
they  chased  one  another  over  her  prostrate 
person  and  playfully  pulled  at  her  long  hair. 

"  He  was  the  only  friend  I  ever  had  that 
was  not  old  and  wise  in  sorrow.  It  was  true 
he  seemed  to  bring  a  shadow  with  him  and 
while  he  was  here  I  sometimes  wished  he 
would  go,  or  had  never  come  ;  yet  now  that 
he  has — oh  !  it's  so  awfully,  awfully  lonesome. 
Nobody  to  talk  with   about  my  dreams  and 


A  DISCLOSURE  129 

fancies,  nobody  to  talk  nonsense,  nobody  to 
teach  me  any  more  songs — nobody  but  just 
old  folks  and  animals !  And  he  went,  he 
went  without  a  word  or  a  single  good-bye  ! ' 

It  was,  indeed,  Margot's  first  grief;  and  the 
fact  that  her  late  comrade  could  leave  her  so 
coolly,  without  even  mentioning  his  plan, 
hurt  her  very  deeply.  But,  after  awhile,  re- 
sentment at  Adrian's  seeming  neglect  almost 
banished  her  loneliness  ;  and,  sitting  up,  she 
stared  at  Xanthippe,  poised  on  one  leg  before 
her,  apparently  asleep  but  really  waiting  for 
anything  which  might  turn  up  in  the  shape 
of  dainties. 

"  Oh  !  you  sweet  vixen  !  but  you  needn't 
pose.  There's  no  artist  here  now  to  sketch 
you,  and  I  don't  care,  not  very  much,  if  there 
isn't.  After  all  my  trying  to  do  him  good, 
praising  and  blaming  and  petting,  if  he  was 
impolite  enough  to  go  as  he  did  —  Well, 
no  matter  !  " 

While  this  indignation  lasted  she  felt  better, 
but  as  soon  as  she  came  once  more  in  sight  of 


130       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

the  clearing  and  of  her  uncle  finishing  one  of 
Adrian's  uncompleted  tasks,  her  loneliness  re- 
turned with  double  force.  It  had  almost  the 
effect  of  bodily  illness  and  she  had  no  experi- 
ence to  guide  her.  With  a  fresh  burst  of  tears 
she  caught  her  guardian's  hand  and  hid  her 
face  on  his  shoulder. 

"  Oh  !  it's  so  desolate.  So  empty.  Every- 
thing's so  changed.  Even  the  Hollow  is 
different  and  the  squirrels  seem  like  strangers. 
If  he  had  to  go,  why  did  he  ever,  ever 
come !  " 

"  Why,  indeed  !  " 

Mr.  Dutton  was  surprised  and  frightened  by 
the  intensity  of  her  grief.  If  she  could  sor- 
row in  this  way  for  a  brief  friendship,  what 
untold  misery  might  not  life  have  in  store  for 
her?  There  must  have  been  some  serious 
blunder  in  his  training  if  she  were  no  better 
fitted  than  this  to  face  trouble  ;  and  for  the 
first  time  it  occurred  to  him  that  he  should 
not  have  kept  her  from  all  companions  of  her 
own  age. 


A  DISCLOSURE  131 

"  Margot !  " 

The  sternness  of  his  tone  made  her  look  up 
and  calm  herself. 

"  Y-es,  uncle." 

"  This  must  stop.  Adrian  went  by  my  in- 
vitation. Because  I  could  no  longer  permit 
your  association.  Between  his  household  and 
ours  is  a  wrong  beyond  repair.  He  cannot 
help  that  he  is  his  father's  son,  but  being  such 
he  is  an  impossible  friend  for  your  father's 
daughter.  I  should  have  sent  him  away,  at 
my  very  first  suspicion  of  his  identity,  but — I 
want  to  be  just.  It  has  been  the  effort  of  my 
life  to  learn  forgiveness.  Until  the  last  I 
would  not  allow  myself  even  to  believe  who 
he  was,  but  gave  him  the  benefit  of  the  chance 
that  his  name  might  be  of  another  family. 
When  I  did  know — there  was  no  choice.  He 
had  to  go." 

Margot  watched  his  face,  as  he  spoke,  with 
a  curious  feeling  that  this  was  not  the  loved 
and  loving  uncle  she  had  always  known  but  a 
stranger.     There  were  wrinkles  and  scars  she 


132       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

had  never  noticed,  a  bitterness  that  made  the 
voice  an  unfamiliar  one,  and  a  weariness  in  the 
droop  of  the  figure  leaning  upon  the  hoe  which 
suggested  an  aged  and  heart-broken  man. 

Why,  only  yesterday,  it  seemed,  Hugh 
Dutton  was  the  very  type  of  a  stalwart  wood- 
lander,  with  the  grace  of  a  finished  and  untir- 
ing scholar,  making  the  man  unique.    Now 

If  Adrian  had  done  this  thing,  if  his  mere  pres- 
ence had  so  altered  her  beloved  guardian,  then 
let  Adrian  go  !  Her  arms  went  around  the 
man's  neck  and  her  kisses  showered  upon  his 
cheeks,  his  hands,  even  his  bent  white  head. 

"  Uncle,  uncle !  Don't  look  like  that ! 
Don't.  He's  gone  and  shall  never  come  back. 
Everything's  gone,  hasn't  it  ?  Even  that  irrep- 
arable past,  of  which  I'd  never  heard.  Why, 
if  I'd  dreamed,  do  you  suppose  I'd  even  ever 
have  spoken  to  him  ?  No,  indeed.  Why 
you,  the  tip  of  your  smallest  finger,  the  small- 
est lock  of  your  hair,  is  worth  more  than  a 
thousand  Adrians  !  I  was  sorry  he'd  treated 
me  so  rudely.     But  now  I'm  glad,  glad,  glad. 


A  DISCLOSURE  133 

I  wouldn't  listen  to  him  now,  not  if  he  said 
good-bye  forever  and  ever.  I  love  you,  uncle, 
best  of  all  the  world,  and  you  love  me. 
Let's  be  just  as  we  were  before  any  strangers 
came.     Come,  let's  go  out  on  the  lake." 

He  smiled  at  her  extravagance  and  abrupt- 
ness. The  times  when  they  had  gone  canoe- 
ing together  had  been  their  merriest,  happiest 
times.  It  seemed  to  her  that  it  needed  only 
some  such  outing  to  restore  the  former  condi- 
tions of  their  life. 

"  Not  to-day,  dearest." 

"  Why  not  ?  The  potatoes  won't  hurt  and 
it's  so  lovely." 

"  There  are  other  matters,  more  important 
than  potatoes.  I  have  put  them  off  too  long. 
Now — Margot,  do  you  love  me?  " 

11  Why — uncle  !  " 

"  Because  there  is  somebody  whom  you  must 
love  even  more  dearly.     Your  father." 

"My — father!  My  father?  Of  course; 
though  he  is  dead." 

"  No,  Margot.     He  is  still  alive." 


CHAPTER  XII 

CARRYING 

Pierre's  ill-temper  was  short-lived,  but  his 
curiosity  remained.  However,  when  Adrian 
steadily  refused  to  gratify  it  his  interest  re- 
turned to  himself. 

"  Say,  I've  a  mind  to  go  the  whole  way." 

"Where?" 

"  Wherever  you're  going.  Nothin'  to  call 
me  back." 

"Madoc?" 

"  WTe  might  take  him  along." 

"  Not  if  he's  sick.  That  would  be  as  cruel 
to  him  as  troublesome  to  us.  Besides,  you 
need  go  no  further  than  yonder  shore." 

"  Them's  the  woods  you  got  lost  in." 

"  I  know  them  better  now." 

"  Couldn't  find  your  road  to  save  your 
life." 

134 


CARRYING  135 

"  I  think  I  could.  Besides,  you  will  be 
wanted  at  the  island.  I  don't  think  Mr. 
Dutton  is  a  well  man.  With  nobodv  but  an 
old  woman  and  a  young  girl  he'll  need  some- 
body.    You're  not  much  good,  still " 

Pierre  laughed.  They  had  about  reached 
the  forest  and  he  rested  his  paddle. 

"  You  hear  me.  I'm  going  to  where  you 
go.  That  was  the  master's  word.  I  wouldn't 
dare  not  do  it.  If  I  did,  my  mother'd  make 
me  sorry.     So  that's  settled." 

Adrian  had  doubts  as  to  the  truth  of  this 
statement  of  the  islander's  command-.  He 
recalled  the  words:  ,;  as  far  as  you  desire." 
After  all,  this  was  not  setting  a  time  limit, 
and  it  was  perfectly  natural  that  anybody 
should  like  company  through  the  wilderness. 
Why,  it  would  be  a  wild,  adventurous  jour- 
ney !  the  very  sort  of  which  he  had  dreamed 
before  he  had  tasted  the  prosaic  routine  of  the 
lumber-camp.  He  had  his  colors  and  brushes, 
the  birch-bark  which  served  so  many  forest 
purposes  should  be  his  canvas,  they  had  food, 


136       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

and  Pierre,  at  least,  his  gun  and  ammunition 
— no  lad  could  have  protested  further. 

"  All  right.  It  will  be  a  lark  after  my 
own  heart.  We  can  quit  as  soon  as  we're 
tired  of  it ;  and — look  here.  Mr.  Dutton 
said  you  were  paid  to  take  me  to  the  nearest 
town.  How  far  is  that  ?  How  long  to  get 
there  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  I  don't  know.  Donavan's  nighest. 
Might  go  in  four  days — might  a  Aveek.  Can- 
ada's closer,  but  you  don't  want  to  go  north. 
South,  he  said." 

"  Ye-es.  I  suppose  so.  Fact  is,  I  don't 
care  where  I  go  nor  when.  I'm  in  no  hurry. 
As  long  as  the  money  and  food  hold  out,  I'm 
satisfied." 

"  Speakin'  of  money.  I  couldn't  afford  to 
waste  my  time." 

Adrian  laughed  at  this  sudden  change  of 
front,  It  was  Pierre  who  had  proposed  the 
long  road,  but  at  the  mention  of  money  had 
remembered  prudence. 

"  That's  all  right,  too.     It  was  of  that  I  was 


CJRRriNG  137 

thinking,  you  greedy  fellow.  What  do  guides 
get,  here  in  the  woods?" 

Pierre  stepped  ashore,  carefully  beached  his 
canoe,  and  as  carefully  considered  his  reply 
before  he  made  it.  How  much  did  this 
city  lad  know?  Either  at  camp  or  on  the 
island  had  he  heard  the  just  rates  of  such 
service  ? 

"  Well — how  much  you  got?  " 

"  I'm  asking  a  question,  not  you." 

"About  four  dollars,  likely." 

"  Whew  !  not  much.  You  can  get  the  best 
of  them  for  two.  I'll  give  you  a  dollar  a  day 
when  we're  resting  and  one-fifty  when  we're 
traveling." 

Adrian  was  smiling  in  the  darkness  at  his 
own  sudden  thrift.  He  had  taken  a  leaf  out 
of  his  comrade's  own  book,  and  beyond  that, 
he  almost  loved  his  precious  earnings,  so  soon 
as  the  thought  came  of  parting  with  them. 
He  instantly  resolved  to  put  aside  a  ten  dollar 
piece  to  take  the  "  mater,"  whenever  he  should 
see  her.     The  rest  he  would  use,  of  course,  but 


138       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

not  waste.  He  would  paint  such  pictures  up 
here  as  would  make  his  old  artist  friends  and 
the  critics  open  their  eyes.  The  very  novelty 
of  the  material  which  should  embody  them 
would  "  take."  Already,  in  imagination,  he 
saw  dozens  of  fascinating  "  bits  "  hung  on  the 
line  at  the  old  Academy,  and  felt  the  marvel- 
ous sums  they  brought  swelling  his  pockets 
to  bursting.  He'd  be  the  rage,  the  hit  of  the 
next  season  ;  and  what  pride  he'd  have  in 
sending  newspaper  notices  of  himself  to  Peace 
Island  !  How  Margot  would  open  her  blue 
eyes,  and  Angelique  toss  her  hands,  and  the 
master  slowly  admit  that  there  was  genius 
where  he  had  estimated  only  talent. 

"  There's  such  a  wide,  wide  difference  in  the 
two  !  "  cried  Adrian,  aloud. 

"Hey?     What?" 

The  dreamer  came  back  to  reality,  and  to 
Pierre,  demanding, 

"  Make  it  one-seventy-five,  and  I'll  do  it." 

"  Well.     I  will.     Now,  for  to-night.     Shall 
we  camp  right  here  or  go   further  into   the 


CARRYING  139 

forest?  In  the  woods  I'm  always  ready  for 
bed,  and  its  later  than  usual  now." 

"  Here.  I  know  the  very  rocks  you  got 
under  in  that  storm.  They'll  do  as  good  as 
a  tent,  and  easier." 

Adrian,  also,  knew  that  spot  and  in  a  few 
moments  both  lads  were  asleep.  They  had 
not  stopped  even  to  build  the  fire  that  was 
customary  in  such  quarters. 

Pierre  was  awake  first,  on  the  next  morn- 
ing, and  Adrian  slowly  rose,  stretching  his 
cramped  limbs  and  yawning  widely. 

"  Well,  I  must  say  that  Angelique's  good 
mattress  beats  rocks.  You  don't  catch  me 
doing  that  again.  I  guess  I'll  walk  down  to 
the  water  and  have  a  last  look  at  the  island." 

"I  guess  you  won't.  You'll  eat  your 
breakfast  right  now.  Then  you'll  fix  that 
birch  for  the  carry.  If  I  do  the  heavy  work 
you've  got  to  do  the  light." 

"  Sounds  fair  enough,  but  you're  paid  and 
I'm  not." 

"  It  is  fair." 


140       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Adrian  did  not  contest  the  point ;  the  less 
readily  because  he  saw  that  the  fried  chicken 
Angelique  had  given  them  was  rapidly  dimin- 
ishing in  quantity. 

"  Think  I'll  fall  to,  myself.  My,  but  I'm 
hungry  !     Wish  I  had  a  cup  of  coffee." 

"  Can't  waste  time  now.  We'll  have  some 
to-night!" 

"  Did  they  give  us  some?  " 

"  Look  in  the  pack." 

"  After  breakfast,  I'll  oblige  you." 

Pierre  grinned  and  helped  himself  to  a 
wing. 

Adrian  seized  the  tin  basin  which  held 
the  fowl  and  placed  it  behind  himself. 
"  Enough's  as  good  as  a  feast.  We  shall  be 
hungry  again.  See  here.  What  kind  of  a 
bird  was  this?  or  birds?  all  legs  and  arms, 
no  bodies.  Freaks  of  nature.  Eh  ?  How 
many  breast  portions  have  you  devoured?'' 

"  Three." 

"  Oh  !  Then,  travel  or  no  travel,  you  get 
no  wage  this  day.     Understand.     I'm    com- 


CARRYING  141 

mancler  of  this  expedition.  I  see  to  the  com- 
missariat. I'll  overhaul  the  pack,  and  take 
account  of  stock." 

Pierre  assisted  at  the  task.  Though  he  had 
been  impatient  to  get  away  from  that  locality, 
still  too  dangerously  near  his  mother's  rule, 
he  intended  to  keep  an  eye  on  everything. 
Paid  or  not  paid,  as  Adrian  fared  so  would  he 
— only  rather  better. 

"  Why,  they  must  have  thought  we  would 
be  in  the  woods  a  long  time.  They  were 
certainly  generous." 

They  had  been,  but  Pierre  considered  that 
they  might  have  been  more  so. 

"  This  was  for  both  trips.     Half  is  mine." 

"  Nonsense.  But — there.  We're  not  going 
to  squabble  all  the  time,  like  children.  And 
we  both  know  exactly  what  we  have  to  de- 
pend on.     We  must  fish  and  shoot " 

"  How'll  you  do  that  ?  The  only  gun  is 
mine." 

"  It's  part  of  the  outfit.  Let's  see.  A  little 
good  tent  cloth — not  big  enough  to  cover  any 


142       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

but    good-natured     folks— salt    pork,    beans, 

sugar,    coffee,    tea,    flour,    meal,  dishes 

Hello !  We're  kings,  Ricord  !  Monarchs  of 
Maine." 

"  Cut  the  splints." 

After  all,  it  seemed  to  be  Pierre  who  did 
the  ordering,  but  Adrian  had  sense  to  see  that 
he  was  the  wiser  of  the  two  in  woodcraft ; 
even  though  he  himself  had  made  it  a  study 
during  the  last  weeks.  He  seized  the  axe  and 
attacked  a  cedar-tree,  from  which  he  had  soon 
cut  the  binding  strips  he  wanted.  Then  he 
laid  the  paddles  in  the  boat,  fastening  them 
with  rootlets  to  the  three  thwarts.  He  also 
fastened  two  broad  bands  of  the  pliable  splints 
in  such  a  way  that  when  it  was  inverted,  the 
weight  of  the  canoe  could  be  borne  in  part  by 
the  forehead  and  shoulders.  He  was  ready 
almost  as  soon  as  Pierre  had  retied  the  pack, 
which  was  to  be  Adrian's  burden. 

"  All  right!  I'll  swing  her  up.  This 
4  carry  '  isn't  a  long  one  and  the  first  thorough- 
fare   is    ten   miles    before   we  come    to    dead 


CARRYING  143 

water.  But  it's  up-stream  that  far  and  we'll 
have  to  warp  up  some.  Part  is  fair,  but  more 
is  rips." 

If  Pierre  thought  to  confound  his  mate  by 
his  woodland  slang  he  was  disappointed. 
Margot  had  been  a  good  teacher  and  Adrian 
had  been  eager  to  learn  what  he  had  not 
already  done  from  the  loggers.  Pierre  had 
been  puzzled  by  "  commissariat  "  and  "  expedi- 
tion "  and  felt  that  he  had  evened  matters 
nicely. 

"  Oh  !  I  know.  A  thoroughfare  is  a  river, 
and  a  dead  water  is  a  lake.     And  a  carrier 

is — yourself ! " 

To  show  his  new  skill  he  caught  up  the 
canoe  and  inverted  it  over  his  own  head. 
He,  also,  had  been  calculating  a  bit,  and 
realized  that  the  birch  was  really  the  lighter 
burden.  So  he  generously  left  the  pack  to 
his  neighbor  and  started  forward  bravely. 

"  All  right,  like  you  say.  One  little  bit, 
then  you  change.  Then,  too,  maybe  I'm  not 
ready." 


144       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

With  a  whistle  and  spring  Pierre  hoisted 
the  pack  to  his  shoulders,  wound  its  straps 
around  his  body  and  started  off  through  the 
forest  at  a  sort  of  dog- trot  pace,  pausing 
neither  for  swamp  nor  fallen  tree  ;  and  Adrian 
realized  that  if  he  were  to  keep  his  companion 
in  sight  he  must  travel  equally  fast. 

Alas !  this  was  impossible.  The  birch 
which  had  seemed  so  light  and  romantic 
a  "  carry  ,!  became  suddenly  the  heaviest  and 
most  difficult.  He  caught  its  ends  on  tree 
trunks  and  righting  these  blunders  he 
stumbled  over  the  rough  way.  The  thongs 
that  had  seemed  so  smooth  cut  his  forehead 
and  burned  into  his  chest,  and  putting  pride  in 
his  pocket,  he  shouted  : 

u  pjerre  ]  Pierre  Ricord  !  Come  back  or 
you'll  get  no  money  !  " 

It  would  have  been  a  convincing  argument 
had  it  been  heard,  but  it  was  not.  Pierre 
had  already  gone  too  far  in  advance.  Yet  at 
that  moment  a  sound  was  borne  on  the  breeze 
toward  Adrian  which  effectually  banished  all 


CARRYING  145 

thought  of  fatigue  or  of  ill-treatment.    A  long- 
drawn,  unmistakable  cry  that  once  heard  no 
man  with  the  hunter  instinct  ever  forgets. 
"  A  moose  !     And  Pierre  has  the  gun  !  " 


CHAPTER  XIII 

A  DEAD  WATER  TRAGEDY 

But  Pierre,  also,  had  heard  that  distant 
"  Ugh-u-u-ugh  !  "  and  instantly  paused.  His 
own  anxiety  was  lest  Adrian  should  not  hear 
and  be  still.  Fortunately,  the  wind  was  in 
their  favor  and  the  sensitive  nostrils  of  the 
moose  less  apt  to  scent  them.  Having  listened 
a  moment,  he  dropped  his  pack  so  softly  that, 
heavy  as  it  was,  it  scarcely  made  the  under- 
growth crack.  His  gun  was  always  loaded 
and  now  making  it  read}7  for  prompt  use,  he 
started  back  toward  his  companion.  The 
Indian  in  his  nature  came  to  the  fore.  His 
step  was  alert,  precise,  and  light  as  that  of  any 
four-footed  forester.  When  within  sight  of 
the  other  lad,  listening  and  motionless,  his  eye 
brightened. 

"If  he  keeps  that  way,  maybe Ah  !  " 

146 


A  DEAD  WATER   TRAGEDY  147 

The  moose  called  again,  but  further  off. 
This  was  a  disappointment,  but  they  were  on 
good  ground  for  hunting  and  another  chance 
would  come.  Meanwhile  they  would  better 
make  all  haste  to  the  thoroughfare.  There 
would  be  the  better  place,  and  out  in  the  canoe 
they'd  have  a  wider  range. 

"  Here,  you.  Give  me  the  boat.  Did  you 
hear  it?" 

"  Did  I  not  ?     But  you  had  the  gun  !  " 

"  Wouldn't  have  made  any  difference  if 
you'd  had  it.     Too  far  off.     Let's  get  on." 

Adrian  lifted  the  pack  and  dropped  it  in 
disgust.     "  I  can't  carry  that  load  ! ' 

Pierre  was  also  disgusted — by  the  other's 
ignorance  and  lack  of  endurance. 

"  What  you  don't  know  about  the  woods 
beats  all.  Haven't  you  seen  anybody  pack 
things  before?  I'll  show  you.  When  there's 
big  game  handy  is  no  time  to  quarrel.  If  a 
pack's  too  heavy,  halve  it.  Watch  and  learn 
something." 

Pierre  could  be  both  swift  and  dexterous  if 


148       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

he  chose,  and  he  rapidly  unrolled  and  divided 
the  contents  of  the  cotton  tent.  Putting  part 
into  the  blanket  he  retied  the  rest  in  the 
sheeting,  and  now  neither  bundle  was  a  very 
severe  tax. 

"  Whew  !  What's  the  sense  of  that  ?  It's 
the  same  weight.    How  does  halving  it  help  ?  " 

Pierre  swung  the  canoe  upon  his  head  and 
directed : 

"  Catch  hold  them  straps.  Cany  one  a 
few  rods.  Drop  it.  Come  back  after  the 
other.  Carry  that  a  ways  beyond  the  first. 
Drop  it.  Get  number  one.  All  time  lap  over, 
beyond,  over,  beyond.     So." 

With  a  stick  he  illustrated  on  the  ground, 
and  wasting  no  further  time  nor  speech, 
clasped  his  gun  the  tighter  under  his  arm  and 
trotted  forward  again. 

Adrian  obeyed  instructions,  and  though  it 
seemed,  at  first,  a  waste  to  go  back  and  forth 
along  the  carry  as  he  had  been  directed, 
found  that,  in  the  end,  he  had  accomplished  his 
task  with  small  fatigue  or  delay. 


A  DEAD  IVATEk   TRAGEDY  149 

11  Another  bit  of  woodcraft  for  my  knowl- 
edge box.  Useful  elsewhere,  too.  Wish  I 
could  get  through  this  country  as  fast  as 
Pierre  does.  But  he'll  have  to  wait  for  me, 
anyway." 

For  a  time  Adrian  could  easily  trace  the 
route  of  his  guide  by  the  bruises  the 
canoe  had  given  the  leaves  and  undergrowth 
but  after  awhile  the  forest  grew  more  open 
and  this  trail  was  lost.  Then  he  stopped  to 
consider.  He  had  no  intention  of  losing  him- 
self again. 

"  We  are  aiming  for  the  south.  Good. 
All  the  big  branches  of  these  hemlocks  point 
that  way — so  yonder's  my  road.  Queer,  too, 
how  mossy  the  tree  trunks  are  on  the  north 
sides.  I've  heard  that  you  could  drop  an 
Indian  anywhere  in  any  forest  and  he'd  travel 
to  either  point  of  the  compass  he  desired  with 
nothing  to  guide  him  but  his  instinct. 
Wish  I  were  an  Indian !  Wish,  rather, 
I  had  my  own  compass  and  good  outfit 
that    went    over    in    my   canoe.       Hurrah  ! 


150       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

There's    a    glimmer    of    water.     That's    the 
thoroughfare.     Now  a  dash  for  it ! ,: 

Adrian  was  proud  of  his  new  skill  in  finding 
his  own  way  through  a  trackless  forest,  but 
though  he  duly  reached  the  stream  he  could 
not  for  a  time  see  anything  of  Pierre.  He  did 
not  wish  to  shout,  lest  the  moose  might  be 
near  and  take  fright,  but  at  last  he  did  give  a 
faint  halloo  and  an  answer  came  at  once. 
Then  the  boat  shot  out  from  behind  a  clump 
of  alders  and  made  down  the  river  toward 
him. 

The  current  was  swift  and  strong  and  there 
was  considerable  poling  to  be  done  before  it 
touched  the  shore  and  Pierre  stepped  out. 

"  I've  been  looking  round.  This  is  as  good 
a  place  to  camp  to-night  as  we'll  find.  Leave 
the  things  here,  and  might  as  well  get  ready 
now.  Then  we  can  stay  out  all  day  and 
come  back  when  we  like." 

"  But  I  thought  we  were  to  go  on  up  the 
thoroughfare.  Why  stop  here  at  all  ?  Other 
camping  places  are  easy  to  find." 


A  DEAD  WATER   TRAGEDY  151 

"  Are  they  ?  My,  you  can  ask  questions. 
Good  many  things  go  to  making  right  sort  of 
camp.     Dry    ground,    good    water   to   drink, 

fire-wood,  poles Oh  !    shucks  !     If  you 

don't  know,  keep  still  and  learn." 

This  was  excellent  advice  and  Adrian  was 
tired.  He  decided  to  trust  to  the  other  lad's 
common  sense  and  larger  experience,  and 
having  so  decided,  calmly  stretched  himself 
out  upon  the  level  hank  of  the  stream  and 
went  to  sleep. 

Pierre's  temper  rose  still  higher  and  after 
he  had  endured  the  sight  of  Adrian's  indol- 
ence as  long  as  possible  he  stepped  to  the 
river  and  dipped  a  bucket  of  water.  Then 
he  returned  and  quietly  dashed  it  over  the 
drowsy  lad.  The  effect  was  all  that  Pierre 
desired. 

"  What  did  you  do  that  for?  " 

"  Take  this  axe  and  get  to  work.  I've 
chopped  long  enough.  It's  my  turn  to  rest. 
Or  would  be,  only  I'm  after  moose." 

Adrian  realized  that  he  had  given  cause  for 


152       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

offense  and  laughed  good-naturedly.  His 
nap  had  rested  him  much  more  than  his 
broken  sleep  of  the  night  under  the  rocks, 
and  the  word  "  moose"  had  an  inspiration  all 
its  own. 

"  IVe  cut  the  fire- wood.  You  get  poles  for 
the  tent.     Ill  get  things  ready  for  supper." 

Adrian  laid  his  hand  dramatically  upon 
his  stomach.  "  I've  an  inner  conviction 
already  that  dinner  precedes  supper." 

"Cut,  can't  you?" 

"  Cut,  it  is." 

In  a  few  moments  he  had  chopped  down  a 
few  slender  poles,  and  selecting  two  with 
forked  branches  he  planted  these  upright  on 
a  little  rise  of  the  driest  ground.  Across  the 
notches  he  laid  a  third  pole,  and  over  this  he 
stretched  their  strip  of  sheeting.  When  this 
was  pegged  down  at  a  convenient  angle  at 
the  back  and  also  secured  at  the  ends,  they 
had  a  very  comfortable  shelter  from  the  dew 
and  possible  rain.  The  affair  was  open  on 
one  side  and   before  this  Pierre  had  heaped 


A  DEAD  WATER   TRAGEDY  153 

the  wood  for  the  fire  when  they  should  re- 
turn after  the  day's  hunt.  Together  they  cut 
and  spread  the  spruce  and  hemlock  boughs 
for  their  bed,  arranging  them  in  overlapping 
rows,  with  an  added  quantity  for  pillows. 
Wrapped  in  their  blankets,  for  even  at  mid- 
summer these  were  not  amiss,  they  hoped  to 
sleep  luxuriously. 

They  stored  their  food  in  as  safe  a  spot  as 
possible,  though  Pierre  said  that  nothing  would 
molest  it,  unless  it  might  be  a  hungry  hedge- 
hog, but  Adrian  preferred  to  take  no  risks. 
Then  with  knives  freshly  sharpened  on  the 
rocks,  and  the  gun  in  hand,  they  cautiously 
stepped  into  the  canoe  and  pushed  off. 

"  One  should  not  jump  into  a  birch.  Easi- 
est thing  in  the  world  to  split  the  bottom," 
its  owner  had  explained. 

Adrian  had  no  desire  to  do  anything  that 
would  hinder  their  success,  therefore  submit- 
ted to  his  guide's  dictation  with  a  meekness 
that  would  have  amused  Margot. 

She  would  not  have  been  amused  by  their 


} 


154       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

undertaking  nor  its  but  half-anticipated  re- 
sults. After  a  long  and  difficult  warping-up 
the  rapids,  in  which  Adrian's  skill  at  using 
the  sharp-pointed  pole  that  helped  to  keer 
the  canoe  off  the  rocks  surprised  Ricord,  they 
reached  a  dead  water,  with  low,  rush-dotted 
banks. 

"  Get  her  into  that  cove  yonder,  and  keep 
still.  I've  brought  some  bark  and  '11  make 
a  horn." 

There,  while  they  rested  and  listened,  Pierre 
deftly  rolled  his  strip  of  birch-bark  into  a 
horn  of  two  feet  in  length,  small  at  the  mouth 
end  but  several  inches  wide  at  the  other.  He 
tied  it  with  cedar  thongs  and  putting  it  to  his 
lips,  uttered  a  call  so  like  a  cow-moose  that 
Adrian  wondered  more  and  more. 

"  Hmm.  I  thought  I  was  pretty  smart,  my- 
self;  but  I'll  step  down  when  you  take  the 
stand." 

"  'Sh-h-h  I  Don't  move.  Don't  speak. 
Don't  breathe,  if  you  can  help  it." 

Adrian     became     rigid,    all    his    faculties 


A  DEAD  IVATER   TRAGEDY  155 

merged  in  that  one  desire  to  lose  no 
sound. 

Again  Pierre  gave  the  moose-call,  and — - 
hark!  what  was  that?  An  answering  cry, 
a  far-away  crashing  of  boughs,  the  onrush 
of  some  big  creature,  hastening  to  its 
mate. 

Noiselessly  Pierre  brought  his  gun  into  po- 
sition, sighting  one  distant  point  from  which 
he  thought  his  prey  would  come.  Adrian's 
body  dripped  with  a  cold  sweat,  his  hands 
trembled,  specks  floated  before  his  staring 
eyes,  every  nerve  was  tense,  and,  as  Margot 
would  have  said,  he  was  a-thrill  "  with  mur- 
der," from  head  to  foot !  Oh !  if  the  gun 
were  his,  and  the  shot ! 

Another  call,  another  cry,  and  a  magnifi- 
cent head  came  into  view.  With  horns  erect 
and  quivering  nostrils  the  monarch  of  that 
wilderness  came,  seeking  love,  and  faced  his 
enemies. 

"  He's  within  range — shoot ! '  whispered 
Adrian. 


156       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Only  anger  him  that  way.  Sh  !  When 
he  turns  — —  " 

"  Bang  !  bang— bang  !  '    in  swift  succession. 

The  great  horns  tossed,  the  noble  head 
came  round  again,  then  bent,  wavered  and 
disappeared.     The  tragedy  was  over. 

"  I  got  him !  I  got  him  that  time !  Al- 
ways shoot  that  way,  never " 

Pierre  picked  up  his  paddle  and  sent  the 
canoe  forward  at  a  leap.  When  there  came  no 
responding  movement  from  his  companion  he 
looked  back  over  his  shoulder.  Adrian's  face 
had  gone  white  and  the  eagerness  of  his  eyes 
had  given  place  to  unspeakable  regret. 

"  What's  the  matter  ?     Sick  ?  " 

"  Yes.  Why,  it  was  murder  !  Margot  was 
right." 

"Oh!  shucks!" 

Whereupon  Pierre  pulled  the  faster  toward 
the  body  of  his  victim. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

SHOOTING  THE  RAPIDS 

Three  months  earlier,  if  anybody  had  told 
Adrian  he  would  ever  be  guilty  of  such 
"  squeamishness  "  he  would  have  laughed  in 
derision.  Now,  all  unconsciously  to  himself, 
the  influence  of  his  summer  at  Peace  Island 
was  upon  him  and  it  came  to  him  with  the 
force  of  a  revelation  that  God  had  created 
the  wild  creatures  of  His  forests  for  some- 
thing nobler  than  to  become  the  prey  of  man. 

"  Oh !  that  grand  fellow  !  his  splendidly 
defiant,  yet  hopeless,  facing  of  death !  I 
wish  we'd  never  met  him  !  " 

"  Well,  of  all  foolishness  !  I  thought  you 
wanted  nothing  but  the  chance  at  him  your- 
self." 

"  So  I  did.  Before  I  saw  him.  What  if  it 
had  been  Madoc?" 

157 


158       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  That's  different." 

"The  same.  Might  have  been  twin  broth- 
ers.    Maybe  they  were." 

"  Couldn't  have  been.  Paddle,  won't 
you  ?  " 

Adrian  did  so,  but  with  a  poor  grace.  He 
would  now  far  rather  have  turned  the  canoe 
about  toward  camp,  yet  railed  at  himself  for 
his  sudden  cowardice.  He  shrank  from  look- 
ing on  the  dead  moose  as  only  an  hour  before 
he  had  longed  to  do  so. 

They  were  soon  at  the  spot  where  the  animal 
had  disappeared  and  pushing  the  boat  upon 
the  reedy  shore,  Pierre  plunged  forward 
through  the  marsh.  Adrian  did  not  follow, 
till  a  triumphant  shout  reached  him.  Then 
he  felt  in  his  pocket  and,  finding  a  pencil  with 
a  bit  of  paper,  made  his  own  way  more  slowly 
to  the  side  of  his  comrade,  who,  wildly  ex- 
cited, was  examining  and  measuring  his 
quarry.  On  a  broad  leaved  rush  he  had 
marked  off  a  hand's  width  and  from  this  unit 
calculated  that : 


SHOOTING  THE  RJPIDS  159 

"  He's  eight  feet  four  from  hoof  to  shoulder, 
and  that  betters  the  King  by  six  inches.  See. 
His  horns  spread  nigh  six  feet.  If  he  stood 
straight  and  held  them  up  he'd  be  fifteen  feet 
or  nothing  !  They  spread  more'n  six  feet,  and 
I  tell  you,  he's  a  beauty  !  " 

"  Yes.  He's  all  of  that.  But  of  what  use 
is  his  beauty  now  ?  " 

"  Humph !  Didn't  know  you  was  a 
girl  !  " 

Adrian  did  not  answer.  He  was  rapidly 
and  skilfully  sketching  the  prostrate  animal, 
and  studying  it  minutely.  From  his  memory 
of  it  alive  and  the  drawing  he  hoped  to  paint 
a  tolerably  lifelike  portrait  of  the  animal ; 
and  a  fresh  inspiration  came  to  him.  To 
those  projected  woodland  pictures  he  would 
add  glimpses  of  its  wild  denizens,  and  in 
such  a  way  that  the  hearts  of  the  beholders 
should  be  moved  to  pity,  not  to  slaughter. 

But,  already  that  sharpened  knife  of 
Pierre's  was  at  work,  defacing,  mutilating. 

"  Why  do  that,  man?" 


160       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"Why  not?  What  ails  you?  What' d  we 
hunt  for?  " 

"  We  don't  need  him  for  food.  You  cannot 
possibly  carry  those  horns  any  distance  on  our 
trip,  and  you're  not  apt  to  come  back  just  this 
same  way.  Let  him  lie.  You've  done  him 
all  the  harm  you  should.  Come  on.  Is  this 
like  him?"  And  Adrian  showed  his  draw- 
ing. 

"  Oh  1  it's  like  enough.  If  you  don't  relish 
my  job — clear  out.     I  can  skin  him  alone." 

Adrian  waited  no  second  bidding,  but 
strolled  away  to  a  distance  and  tried  to  think 
of  other  things  than  the  butchering  in  prog- 
ress. But  at  last  Pierre  whistled  and  he  had 
to  go  back  or  else  be  left  in  the  wilderness  to 
fare  alone  as  best  he  might.  It  was  a  ghastly 
sight.  The  great  skin,  splashed  and  wet  with 
its  owner's  blood,  the  dismembered  antlers, 
the  slashed  off  nose — which  such  as  Pierre 
considered  a  precious  tid-bit,  the  naked  car- 
cass and  the  butcher's  own  uninviting  state. 
"  I  declare,  I  can   never  get  into  the  same 


SHOOTING  THE  RJPIDS  161 

boat  with  you  and  all  that  horror.  Do  leave 
it  here.  Do  wash  yourself — there's  plenty  of 
water,  and  let's  be  gone." 

Pierre  did  not  notice  the  appeal.  Though 
the  lust  of  killing  had  died  out  of  his  eyes 
the  lust  of  greed  remained.  Already  he  was 
estimating  the  value  of  the  hide,  cured  or  un- 
cured,  and  the  price  those  antlers  would  bring 
could  he  once  get  them  to  the  proper  market. 

"  Why,  I've  heard  that  in  some  of  the  towns 
folks  buy  'em  to  hang  their  hats  on.  Odd  ! 
Lend  a  hand." 

Reluctantly,  Adrian  did  lift  his  portion  of 
the  heavy  horns  and  helped  carry  them  to 
the  birch.  He  realized  that  the  pluckiest  way 
of  putting  this  disagreeable  spot  behind  him 
was  by  doing  as  he  was  asked.  He  was  hope- 
less of  influencing  the  other  by  any  change  in 
his  own  feelings  and  wisely  kept  silence. 

But  they  hunted  no  more  that  day,  nor  did 
they  make  any  further  progress  on  their  jour- 
ney. Pierre  busied  himself  in  erecting  a  rude 
frame  upon  which  he  stretched  the  moose  skin 


162       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

to  dry.  He  also  prepared  the  antlers  and 
built  a  sort  of  hut,  of  saplings  and  bark, 
where  he  could  store  his  trophies  till  his  re- 
turn trip. 

"  For  I  shall  surely  come  back  this  same 
way.  It's  good  hunting  ground  and  moose 
feed  in  herds.  Small  herds,  course,  but  two, 
three  make  a  fellow  rich.     Eh  ?  " 

Adrian  said  nothing.  He  occupied  himself 
in  what  Pierre  considered  a  silly  fashion, 
sketching,  studying  "  effects,"  and  carefully 
cutting  big  pieces  of  the  birch-bark  that  he 
meant  to  use  for  "  canvas."  To  keep  this  flat 
during  his  travels  was  a  rather  difficult  prob- 
lem, but  finally  solved  by  cutting  two  slabs  of 
cedar  wood  and  placing  the  sheets  of  bark  be- 
tween these. 

Whereupon,  Pierre  laughed  and  assured  the 
weary  chopper  that  he  had  had  his  trouble  for 
his  pains. 

"  What  for  you  want  to  carry  big  lumber 
that  way  ?  Roll  your  bark.  That's  all  right. 
When    you   want  to   use  it  put  it  in  water. 


SHOOTING  THE  RAPIDS  163 

Easy.  Queer  how  little  you  know  about 
things.'' 

"All  right.  I  was  silly,  sure  enough.  But 
thanks  for  your  teaching.  Maybe,  if  you 
were  in  my  city  I  might  show  you  a  thing  or 
two." 

Both  lads  were  glad,  however,  when  night 
came,  and  having  cooked  themselves  a  good 
supper  and  replenished  their  fire,  they  slept 
as  only  such  healthy  lads  can  sleep  ;  to  wake 
at  sunrise,  ready  for  fresh  adventures,  and 
with  the  tragedy  of  the  previous  day  partly 
forgotten  even  by  Adrian.  Then,  after  a 
hearty  breakfast,  they  resumed  their  trip. 

Nothing  eventful  occurred  for  some  time 
after.  No  more  moose  appeared,  and  beyond 
winging  a  duck  or  two  and  fishing  now  and 
then,  Pierre  kept  his  hunting  instincts  down. 
In  fact,  he  was  just  then  too  lazy  to  exert 
himself.  He  felt  that  he  had  labored  beyond 
all  reason  during  the  past  summer  and  needed 
a  rest,  Besides,  were  not  his  wages  steadily 
going   on  ?     If  Adrian  was  silly  enough    to 


164       A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  FOREST 

paint  and  paint  and  paint — all  day,  this  old 
tree  and  that  mossy  stump,  he  was  not  respon- 
sible for  another  man's  stupidity.  Not  he. 
The  food  was  still  holding  out,  so  let  things 
take  their  course. 

Suddenly,  however,  Adrian  realized  that 
they  were  wasting  time.  He  had  made 
sketches  on  everything  and  anything  he  could 
find  and  had  accumulated  enough  birch-bark 
to  swamp  the  canoe,  should  they  strike  rough 
water ;  and  far  more  than  was  comfortable  for 
him  to  carry  over  any  portage.  So  one  morn- 
ing he  announced  his  intention  of  leaving 
the  wilderness  and  getting  back  to  civilization. 

"  All  right.  I  go  with  you.  Show  me  the 
town,  then  I'll  come  back." 

"  Well.  As  you  please.  Only  I  don't  pro- 
pose to  pay  you  any  longer  than  will  take  us, 
now  by  the  shortest  road,  to  Donovan's." 

"  Time  enough  to  borrow  that  trouble  when 
you  see  it," 

But  Pierre  suggested  that,  as  Adrian  wished 
to  learn  everything  possible  about  the  woods, 


SHOOTING  THE  RJPIDS  165 

he  should  now  take  the  guidance  of  affairs, 
and  that  whenever  things  went  wrong  he, 
Pierre,  could  point  the  way.  He  did  this  he- 
cause,  of  late,  he  fancied  that  his  young  em- 
ployer had  taken  a  kk  too  top-lofty  '  tone  in 
addressing  him  ;  and,  in  truth,  Adrian's  day- 
dreams of  coming  fame  and  his  own  genius 
were  making  him  feel  vastly  superior  to  the 
rough  woodsman. 

They  had  paddled  over  dead  water  to  a 
point  where  two  streams  touched  it,  and  the 
question  rose — which  way  ? 

"  That !  "  said  Adrian,  with  decision,  point- 
ing to  the  broader  and  more  southern  of  the 
two. 

"  Good  enough." 

For  a  moment  the  leader  fancied  there  was 
a  gleam  of  malice  in  his  hireling's  eye,  but  he 
considered  it  beneath  his  notice  and  calmly 
turned  the  canoe  into  the  thoroughfare  he  had 
chosen.  It  was  wonderfully  smooth  and  de- 
lightful paddling.  In  all  their  trip  they  had 
not  found  so  level  a  stream,  and  it  was  noth- 


166       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

ing  but  enjoyment  of  the  scenery  that  Adrian 
felt,  until  it  seemed  to  him  that  they  had  been 
moving  a  long  time  without  arriving  any- 
where.    "  Haven't  we?  '    he  asked. 

"  Oh  !  we'll  get  there  soon,  now." 

Presently  things  began  to  look  familiar. 
There  was  one  curiously  shaped,  lightning- 
riven  pine,  standing  high  above  its  fellows, 
that  appeared  like  an  old  friend. 

"  Why,  what's  this?  Can  there  be  two 
trees,  exactly  alike,  within  a  half-day's  rowing? 
I've    certainly    sketched    that   old    landmark 

from  every   side,  and Hello  !    yonder's 

my  group  of  white-birches  or  I'm  blind. 
How  queer !  " 

A  few  more  sweeps  and  the  remains  of  the 
camp  they  had  that  morning  left  were  before 
them,  and  Pierre  could  no  longer  repress  his 
glee. 

"  Good  guide,  you  !  Trust  a  know-it-all  for 
making  mistakes." 

tb  What  does  it  mean?"  demanded  Adrian, 
angrily. 


SHOOTING  THE  RAPIDS  167 

"  Nothing.  Only  you  picked  out  a  run- 
about, a  little  branch  of  river,  that  wanders 
out  of  course  and  then  comes  home  again. 
Begins  and  ends  the  same.  Oh  !  you're  wise, 
you  are." 

"  Would  the  other  lead  us  right? " 

"Yes." 

"  But  it  turns  north.     We're  bound  south." 

"  That's  no  matter.  Can't  a  river  turn, 
same  as  runabouts  ?  " 

"  I  give  up.  You  guide.  Ill  stick  to  my 
brush." 

This  restored  affairs  to  the  ground  which 
Pierre  considered  proper  ;  and  having  paused 
long  enough  to  eat  a  lunch,  they  set  out 
afresh.  The  new  track  they  followed  as- 
cended steadily,  and  it  proved  a  difficult 
stream  to  get  up ;  but  the  ascent  was  ac- 
complished without  accident  and  then  the 
surface  of  the  land  altered.  Again  they 
reached  a  point  where  two  branches  met 
and  Pierre  explained  that  the  waters  of  one 
ran   due   north,  but   the  other  bent  gradually 


168       A  DAUGHTER    OF  THE  FOREST 

toward  the  south  and  in  a  little  while  de- 
scended through  one  of  the  most  dangerous 
"  rips  "  he  had  ever  seen. 

"  Only  saw  them  once,  too.  When  I  went 
as  far  as  Donovan's  with  the  master,  year 
before  last," 

"  Didn't  know  he  ever  came  so  far  from  the 
island." 

"  Why,  he  goes  once  every  summer,  or  fall, 
as  far  as  that  New  York  of  yours.  Likely 
he'll  be  going  soon  again." 

"  He  does?  Queer  he  never  mentioned 
it." 

"  Maybe.  I've  a,  notion,  though,  that  the 
things  he  don't  say  are  more  important  than 
what  he  does.     Ever  shoot  a  rip  ?  " 

"  No.  I've  tried  and  failed.  That's  how 
I  happened  to  get  lost  and  wandered  to 
Dutton's." 

"  He's  the  boss  hand  at  it.  Seems  as  if  the 
danger  fired  him  up.  Makes  him  feel  as  I  do 
when  1  hunt  big  game.  He  didn't  need  my 
help,   only    fetched    me    along   to  take   back 


SHOOTING  THE  RJPIDS  169 

some   truck,     That's   how  he   picked  me  out 

to  show  you.     He  knew  I  knew -" 

"  And  I  wish  I  knew— lots  of  things  !  " 
u  One   of   'em    might    be    that  round   that 

next   turn   comes   the   first  dip.     Then,  look 

out." 

The  stream  was  descending  very  percep- 
tibly ;  and  they  needed  no  paddling  to  keep 
them  moving.  But  they  did  require  to  be 
incessantly  on  the  watch  to  guard  against  the 
rocks  which  obstructed  the  current  and  which 
threatened  the  safety  of  their  frail  craft, 

"  You  keep  an  eye  on  me  and  one  on  the 
channel.  It'll  take  a  clear  head  to  carry  us 
through,  and  no  fooling." 

Adrian  did  not  answer.  He  had  no 
thought  for  anything  just  then  but  the 
menace  of  those  jagged  points  which  seemed 
to  reach  toward  them  as  if  to  destroy. 

Nor  did  Pierre  speak  again.  Far  better 
even  than  his  silent  companion  could  he  esti- 
mate the  perils  which  beset  them.  Life  itself 
was  the  price  which  they  would  pay  for  a  mo- 


170       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

merit's  carelessness  ;  but  a  cool  head,  a  clear 
eye,  and  a  steady  wrist — these  meant  safety 
and  the  proud  record  of  a  dangerous  passage 
wisely  made.  A  man  who  could  shoot  those 
rapids  was  a  guide  who  might,  indeed,  some 
time  demand  the  high  wages  at  which 
Adrian  had  jeered. 

Suddenly,  the  channel  seemed  barred  by 
two  opposing  bowlders,  whose  points  lapped 
each  other.  In  reality,  there  was  a  way  be- 
tween them,  by  the  shortest  of  curves  and 
of  but  little  more  .than  the  canoe's  width. 
Pierre  saw  and  measured  the  distance  skil- 
fully, but  he  had  not  counted  upon  the  op- 
posing force  of  the  water  that  rushed  against 
them. 

11  Look— out!  take " 

Behind  the  right-hand  rock  seethed  a 
mighty  whirlpool  where  the  river  speeding 
downward  was  caught  and  tossed  back  upon 
itself,  around  and  around,  mad  to  escape  yet 
bound  by  its  own  power. 

Into  this  vortex  the  canoe  was  hurled  ;  to 


SHOOTING  THE  RAPIDS  171 

be  instantly  overturned  and  dashed  to  pieces 
on  the  rock. 

On  its  first  circuit  of  the  pool  Adrian 
leaped  and  landed  upon  the  slippery  bowlder 
—breathless,  but  alive !  His  hand  still 
clasped  the  pole  he  had  been  using  to  steer 
with,  and  Pierre ?  He  had  almost  disap- 
peared within  the  whirling  water,  that  tossed 
him  like  a  feather. 


CHAPTER  XV 

SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION 

For  an  instant  Adrian  closed  his  eyes  that 
he  might  not  see  the  inevitable  end.  But — 
was  it  inevitable  ?  At  the  logging  camp  he 
had  heard  of  just  such  accidents  as  this  and 
not  all  of  them  were  fatal.  The  water  in  its 
whirling  sometimes  tossed  that  which  it  had 
caught  outward  to  safety. 

He  flung  himself  prone  and  extended  the 
pole.  Pierre's  body  was  making  another  cir- 
cuit  of    that    horrible    pit    and    when — if — 

should  it The  drowning  boy's  head  was 

under  the  current,  but  his  legs  swung  round 
upon  its  surface,  faster  and  faster,  as  they 
drew  nearer  the  centre. 

Then — a  marvel !  The  long  pole  was 
thrust  under  the  invisible  arms,  which  closed 
upon  it  as  a  vice. 

172 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION        173 

"  Hold  !     Hold  !     I'll  pull  you  out !  " 

But  for  the  hard  labor  of  the  past  few 
weeks  Adrian's  muscles  could  not  have  stood 
the  strain.  Yet  they  did,  and  as  he  drew  the 
nearly  senseless  Pierre  upon  the  rock  beside 
himself  his  soul  went  up  in  such  glad  thanks- 
giving as  he  had  never  known,  or  might 
know  again.  A  life  saved.  That  was  worth 
all  things. 

For  an  hour  they  lay  there,  resting,  recov- 
ering ;  then  Pierre,  himself,  stood  up  to  see 
what  chance  there  was  for  a  fuller  deliver- 
ance. He  was  a  very  sober  and  altered 
Pierre,  and  his  drenched  clothing  added  to 
the  forlornness  of  his  appearance. 

"  Nothing  left  but — us.  Came  nigh  bein' 
only  you.      Say,  Adrian,  I  shan't  forget  it." 

"  How  are  we  going  to  get  ashore?  ': 

"  Tisn't  much  harder  n  Margot's  stepping- 
stones.     Done  them  times  enough." 

Again  Adrian  was  grateful  for  his  forest 
experience,  but  he  asked  with  some  anxiety  : 

"  Suppose  you  are  strong  enough  to  do  it  ?  ' 


174       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Isn't  any  supposin'  about  it.  Got  to. 
Might  as  well  died  in  the  pool  as  starve  on 
this  rock." 

Adrian  didn't  see  that  there  was  much 
better  than  starvation  before  them  even  if 
they  did  reach  shore,  but  he  kept  his  fear  to 
himself.  Besides,  it  was  not  probable  that 
they  had  been  saved  from  the  flood  to  perish 
in  the  forest.  They  would  better  look  at  the 
bright  side  of  the  situation,  if  they  hoped  to 
find  such. 

"  I  can  jump  them." 

"So  can  I." 

u  Don't  let  go  that  pole.  I  mean  to  keep 
that  as  long  as  I  live — 'less  you  want  it  your- 
self.    If  you  do " 

'  No,  Pierre,  it  belongs  to  you,  and  doubly 
now.     Which  should  go  first — you  or  I  ?  " 

"  Draw  lots.  If  that  one  falls  in,  the  other 
must  fish  him  out.  Only  we  won't  try  it  on 
this  side,  by  the  pool." 

They  carefully  surveyed  the  crossing,  al- 
most as  dangerous  an   affair  as  shooting  the 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION        175 

rapids    had   been.     Yet,  as  Pierre    had    said, 
they  "  had  to." 

Adrian  picked  a  bit  of  floating  weed  that 
had  swept  within  his  reach  and  broke  it  into 
unequal  portions.  The  shortest  bit  fell  to 
him  and  with  as  cheerful  a  "  here  goes  !  "  as 
he  could  muster  he  sprang  for  the  next  stone. 
He  made  it ;  more  easily  than  he  had  hoped, 
and  saw  that  his  best  chance  lay  in  looking 
straight  ahead  to  the  next  landing-point— and 
the  next — never  down  at  the  swirling  river. 

"  Landed  !     Come  !  " 

Pierre  was  heavier  but  more  practiced  than 
his  mate,  and  in  a  few  seconds  the  two  stood 
together  on  the  shore,  regarding  the  ruins  of 
their  boat  and  thinking  of  what  they  would 
not  have  for  supper. 

All  at  once  Pierre's  eye  brightened. 

"  Say  !  there's  been  a  camp  here.  Not  so 
long  ago,  either.  See  that  barrel  in  the 
brush?  There's  an  old  birch  shed  yonder. 
Hurrah  !  " 

They  did  not  linger,  though   Adrian  kept 


17tf       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

hoping  that  something  from  their  lost  outfit 
might  be  tossed  outward  toward  them,  even 
as  Pierre  had  been ;  but  nothing  came  in 
sight  and  he  reached  the  dilapidated  shed 
only  a  few  feet  behind  the  other. 

"  There's  a  bed  left  still,  but  not  such  a  soft 
one.  And  there's  pork  in  that  barrel.  Won- 
der the  hedgehogs  haven't  found  it." 

But  as  Pierre  thrust  his  nose  into  the 
depths  of  the  cask  he  understood  the  reason 
of  its  safety. 

"  Whew !  Even  a  porky  pine  wouldn't 
touch  that !  Never  mind.  Reckon  our 
boots'll  need  greasing  after  that  ducking,  or 
mine  will,  and  it'll  answer.  Anything  under 
the  shed?" 

"  Don't  see  anything.  Wait.  Yes,  I  do.  A 
canvas  bag  hung  up  high.  M ust  have  been 
forgotten  when  the  campers  left,  for  they  took 
everything  else,  clean  sweep.  Hurrah !  It's 
beans  !  " 

"  Good.  Beans  are  good  fodder  for  hungry 
cattle." 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION        177 

"How  can  you  eat  such  hard  things? 
Should  think  they'd  been  resurrected  from 
the  Pyramids." 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  '  Pyramids,'  but  I  do 
know  beans,  and  how  to  cook  them.  Fall  to. 
Let's  get  a  fire.     I'm  nearly  frozen." 

"  Fire  ?     Can  you  make  one  ?  " 

"I  can  try  and I've  got  to.     When 

needs  must,  you  know." 

Adrian  hastily  collected  some  dry  twigs  and 
decaying  chips  and  heaped  them  in  the  sun- 
niest place,  but  for  this  was  promptly  repri- 
manded by  the  shivering  Pierre. 

"  Don't  you  know  anything  at  all?  Wood 
won't  light,  nor  burn  after  'tis  lighted,  in  the 
sunshine.  Stick  up  something  to  shade  the 
stuff,  whilst " 

He  illustrated  what  he  did  not  further  say, 
by  carefully  selecting  some  hard  stones  and 
briskly  rubbing  them  together.  A  faint  spark 
resulted  and  a  thistle-down  caught  the  spark. 
To  the  thistle-down  he  held  a  dried  grass 
blade  and  another.     By  this  small  beginning 


178       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

they  had  soon  a  tiny  blaze  and  very  soon  a 
comforting  fire. 

When  they  were  partially  dried  and  rested, 
said  Pierre  : 

"  Now,  fetch  on  your  beans.  While  they're 
cooking,  we'll  take  account  of  what  is  left." 

Adrian  brought  the  bag,  refraining  from 
any  questions  this  time.  He  was  wondering 
and  watchful.  Pierre's  misadventures  were 
developing  unsuspected  resources  and  the 
spirits  of  both  lads  rose  again  to  the  nor- 
mal. 

"  You're  so  fond  of  splitting  birch  for  pic- 
tures, split  me  some  now  for  a  bucket,  while  I 
sharpen  this  knife  again.  Lucky  for  me  my 
pocket  buttoned,  else  it  would  have  gone  to 
the  bottom  of  that  pool.     Got  yours?  ' 

"  Yes.     I  didn't  fall  in,  you  know." 

"  Then  I  don't  ask  odds  of  anybody.  I'd 
rather  have  a  good  axe,  but  when  I  can't  get 
my  rather  I  take  the  next  best  thing." 

Adrian  procured  the  strips  of  birch,  which 
grows  so  plentifully  to  hand  in  all  that  wrood- 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION        179 

land,  and  when  Pierre  had  trimmed  it  into 
the  desired  shape  he  deftly  rolled  it  and  tied 
it  with  stout  rootlets,  and  behold !  there 
was  a  shapely  sort  of  kettle,  with  a  twig  for  a 
handle.  But  of  what  use  it  might  be  the  city 
lad  had  yet  to  learn. 

Pierre  filled  the  affair  with  water  and  put 
into  it  a  good  handful  of  the  beans.  Then  he 
fixed  a  crotched  stick  over  his  fire  and  hung 
the  birch  kettle  upon  it. 

"  Oh  !  don't  waste  them.  I  know.  I  saw 
Angelique  soak  them,  as  they  did  at  camp.  I 
know,  now.  If  we  can't  cook  them  we  can 
make  them  swell  up  in  water,  and  starving 
men  can  exist  on  such  food  till  they  reach  a 
settlement.  Of  course  we'll  start  as  soon  as 
you're  all  right," 

"  We'll  start  when  we're  ready.  That's  after 
we've  had  something  to  eat  and  have  made 
our  new  canoe.  Never  struck  a  spot  where 
there  was  likelier  birches.  'Twon't  be  the 
first  one  I've  built  or  seen  built.  Say.  Seems 
as  if  that  God  that  Margot  is  always  saying 


180       A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  FOREST 

takes  care  of  folks  must  have  had  a  hand  in 
this.     Doesn't  it?" 

"  Yes.  It  does,"  answered  Adrian,  rever- 
ently. Surely,  Pierre  was  a  changed  and  bet- 
ter lad. 

Then  his  eyes  rested  on  the  wooden  dinner- 
pot,  and  to  his  astonishment  it  was  not 
burning  but  hung  steadily  in  its  place  and  the 
water  in  it  was  already  beginning  to  simmer. 
Above  the  water  line  the  bark  shrivelled  and 
scorched  slightly,  but  Pierre  looked  out  for 
this  and  with  a  scoop  made  from  a  leaf  re- 
plenished the  water  as  it  steamed  away.  The 
beans,  too,  were  swelling  and  gave  every 
promise  of  cooking — in  due  course  of  time. 
Meanwhile,  the  cook  rolled  himself  over  and 
about  in  the  warmth  of  the  fire  till  his  clothes 
were  dry  and  all  the  cold  had  left  his  body. 
Also,  he  had  observed  Adrian's  surprise  with 
a  pardonable  pride. 

"  Lose  an  Indian  in  the  woods  and  he's  as 
rich  as  a  lord.  It's  the  Indian  in  me  coming 
out  now." 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION         181 

"  It's  an  extra  sense.  Divination,  instinct, 
something  better  than  education." 

"What  the  master  calls  t  woodcraft.1     Yes. 

Wonder  how  he  is,  and  all  of  them.  Say. 
What  do  you  think  I  thought  about  when  I 
was  whirling  round  that  pool,  before  I  didn't 
think  of  anything  ?  " 

"  Your  sins,  I  suppose.  That's  what  I've 
heard  comes  to  a  drowning  man." 

"  Shucks  !  Saw  the  mere's  face  when  she 
broke  that  glass !  Fact.  Though  I  wasn't 
there  at  the  time.  And  one  thing  more  :  saw 
that  ridiculous  Xanthippe,  looking  like  she'd 
never  done  a  thing  but  warble.  Oh  !  my ! 
How  I  do  wish  Margot  'd  sell  her." 

"  Shall  I  help  you  get  birch  for  the  canoe 
now?  I  begin  to  believe  you  can  do  even 
that,  you  are  so  clever." 

This  praise  was  sweet  to  Pierre's  vain  ears 
and  had  the  result  which  Adrian  desired,  of 
diverting  the  talk  from  their  island  friends. 
In  their  present  situation,  hopeful  as  the 
other  pretended   to  find  it,  he  felt  it  best  for 


182       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

his  own  peace  of  mind  not  to  recall  loved  and 
absent  faces. 

They  went  to  work  with  a  will,  and  will  it 
was  that  helped  them  ;  else  with  the  poor 
tools  at  hand  they  had  never  accomplished 
their  undertaking.  Indeed,  it  was  a  labor  of 
considerable  time.  Not  only  was  that  first 
meal  of  boiled  beans  cooked  and  eaten,  but 
several  more  of  the  same  sort  followed.  To 
vary  these,  Pierre  baked  some,  in  the  same 
method  as  he  had  boiled  them,  or  else  in  the 
ashes  of  their  fire.  He  even  fashioned  a  sort 
of  hook  from  a  coat  button  and  with  cedar 
roots  for  a  line,  caught  a  fish  now  and  then. 
But  they  craved  the  seasoning  of  salt,  and 
even  the  dessert  of  blue-berries  which  nature 
provided  them  could  not  satisfy  this  longing, 
which  grew  almost  intolerable  to  Adrian's 
civilized  palate. 

"Queer,  isn't  it?  When  I  was  at  that 
lumber  camp  1  nearly  died  because  all 
the  meat,  or  nearly  all,  was  so  salt,  Got 
so    T    couldn't    eat    anything,   hardly.     Now, 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION         183 

just  because  I  haven't  salt  I  can't  eat, 
either." 

"  Indians  not  that  way.  Indians  eat  one 
thing  same's  another.  Indian  just  wants  to 
live,  don't  care  about  the  rest.  Indian  never 
eats  too  much.     I'm  all  Indian,  now." 

Adrian  opened  his  eyes  to  their  widest, 
then  threw  himself  back  and  laughed  till 
the  tears  came. 

"  Pierre,  Pierre  !  Would  you  had  been  '  all 
Indian  '  when  you  tackled  Angelique's  fried 
chicken  !     Umm  !     I  can  taste  it  now  !  ' 

But  at  length  the  new  canoe  was  ready. 
They  had  put  as  few  ribs  into  it  as  would 
suffice  to  hold  it  in  shape  and  Pierre  had  care- 
fully sewn  it  with  the  roots  of  the  black  cedar, 
which  serves  the  woodsman  for  so  many  pur- 
poses, where  thread  or  twine  is  needed.  They 
had  made  a  paddle  and  a  pole  as  well  as  they 
could  with  their  knives,  and  having  nothing 
to  pack  except  themselves  and  their  small 
remnant  of  beans,  made  their  last  camp-fire 
at  that  spot  and  lay  down  to  sleep. 


181       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

But  the  dreams  of  both  were  troubled  ;  and 
in  the  night  Adrian  rose  and  went  to  add 
wood  to  the  fire.  It  had  died  down  to  coals, 
but  his  attention  was  caught  by  a  ring  of 
white  light  upon  the  ashes,  wholly  distinct 
from  the  red  embers. 

"What's  that?" 

In  a  moment  he  had  answered  his  own 
question.  It  was  the  phosphorescent  glow 
from  the  inner  bark  of  a  half  burned  log,  and 
further  away  he  saw  another  portion  of  the 
same  log  making  a  ghostly  radiance  on  the 
surrounding  ground. 

"  Oh  !  I  wouldn't  have  missed  that  for  any- 
thing. Mr.  Dutton  told  me  of  beautiful 
sights  he  had  witnessed  and  of  the  strange 
will-o'-the-wisps  that  abound  in  the  forest. 
I'll  gather  some  of  the  chips." 

He  did  so,  and  they  made  a  fairy-like  radi- 
ance over  his  palm  ;  but  while  he  was  intently 
studying  them,  he  felt  his  hand  rudely 
knocked  up,  so  that  the  bits  of  wood  flew  out 
of  it. 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION        185 

"  Pierre  !     Stop  that !  " 

"  Don't  vou  know  what  that  is  ?  A  warn- 
ing — a  sign — an  omen.  Oh  !  if  I  had  never 
come  upon  this  trip  !  " 

"  You  foolish  fellow.  Just  as  I  thought 
you  were  beginning  to  get  sense.  Nothing  in 
the  world  but  decayed  bark  and  chem- 
ical   " 

Pierre  stopped  his  ears. 

"  I  was  dreaming  of  the  mere.  She  came 
with  her  apron  to  her  eyes  and  her  clothes  in 
tatters.     She  was  scolding " 

"  Perfectly  natural." 

"  And  begging  me " 

"  Not  to  eat  so  many  half-baked  beans  for 
supper." 

"  There's  something  wrong  at  the  island.  I 
saw  the  cabin  all  dark.  I  saw  Margot's  eyes 
red  with  weeping." 

"  No  doubt  Tom  has  been  into  fresh 
mischief  and  your  mother  has  punished 
him." 

Pierre  ignored  these  flippant  interruptions, 


186       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

but  rehearsed  his  dismal  visions  till  Adrian 
lost  patience  and  pushed  him  aside. 

"  Go.  Bring  an  armful  of  fresh  wood ; 
some  that  isn't  phosphorescent,  if  you  prefer. 
That'll  wake  you  up  and  drive  the  megrims 
out  of  your  mind." 

"  Tis  neither  of  them  things.  'Tis  a  warn- 
ing. They  were  all  painted  with  black,  and 
all  the  Hollow  creatures  were  painted,  too. 
'Tis  a  warning.  I  shall  see  death  before  I 
am " 

Even  while  he  maundered  on  in  this  strain 
he  was  unconsciously  obeying  the  command 
to  fetch  wood,  and  moved  toward  a  pile  left 
ready.  Now,  in  raking  this  together,  Adrian 
had,  also,  swept  that  spot  of  ground  clean  and 
exposed  ;  and  what  neither  had  observed  in 
the  twilight  was  plainly  revealed  by  the  glow 
and  shadows  cast  by  the  fire. 

This  was  a  low,  carefully  made  mound  that, 
in  shape  and  significance,  could  be  confounded 
with  no  other  sort  of  mound,  wherever  met. 
Both  recognized  it  at   once,  and  even  upon 


SCIENCE  AND  SUPERSTITION        187 

Adrian  the  shock  was  painful  ;  but  its  effect 
upon  superstitious  Pierre  was  far  greater. 
With  a  shriek  that  startled  the  silence  of  the 
forest  he  flung  himself  headlong. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

DIVERGING    ROADS 

"  Get  up,  Pierre.  You  should  be  ashamed 
of  yourself ! " 

It  needed  a  strong  and  firm  grasp  to  force 
the  terrified  lad  to  his  feet  and  even  when  he, 
at  last,  stood  up  he  shivered  like  an  aspen. 

"  A  grave  !  " 

"  Certainly.  A  grave.  But  neither  yours 
nor  mine.  Only  that  of  some  poor  fellow 
who  has  died  in  the  wilderness.  I'm  sorry  I 
piled  the  brush  upon  it,  yet  glad  we  discov- 
ered it  in  the  end." 

"  Gla-a-ad  !  "  gasped  the  other. 

"  Yes.  Of  course.  I  mean  to  cover  it  with 
fresh  sods  and  plant  some  of  those  purple  or- 
chids at  its  head.  I'll  cut  a  cedar  headstone, 
too,  and  mark  it  so  that  nobody  else  shall 
desecrate  it  as  we  have  clone." 


188 


DIVERGING  ROADS  189 

"  You  mustn't  touch  it !  It's  nobody's — 
only  a  warning." 

"  A  warning,  surely ;  that  we  must  take 
great  care  lest  a  like  fate  come  on  us  ;  but 
somebody  lies  under  that  mound  and  I  pity 
him.  Most  probable  that  he  lost  his  life  in 
that  very  whirlpool  which  wrecked  us. 
Twice  I've  been  upset  and  lost  all  my  belong- 
ings, but  escaped  safe,  I  hope  I'll  not  run 
the  same  chance  again.  Come.  Lie  down 
again,  and  go  to  sleep." 

"  Couldn't  sleep  ;  to  try  in  such  a  haunted 
place  would  be  to  be  '  spelled  ' " 

"  Pierre  Ricord  !  For  a  fellow  that's  so 
smart  at  some  things  you  are  the  biggest 
dunce  I  know,  in  others.  Haven't  we  slept 
like  lords  ever  since  we  struck  this  camp? 
I'm  going  to  make  my  bed  up  again  and  turn 
in.     I  advise  you  to  do  the  same." 

Adrian  tossed  the  branches  aside,  then  re- 
arranged them,  lapping  the  soft  ends  over  the 
hard  ones  in  an  orderly  row  which  would 
have    pleased    a   housewife.     Thus    freshened 


190       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

his  odorous  mattress  was  as  good  as  new,  and 
stretching  himself  upon  it  he  went  to  sleep 
immediately. 

Pierre  fully  intended  to  keep  awake  ;  but 
fatigue  and  loneliness  prevailed,  and  five 
minutes  later  he  had  crept  close  to  Adrian's 
side. 

The  sunshine  on  his  face,  and  the  sound  of 
a  knife  cutting  wood  awoke  him  ;  and  there 
was  Adrian  whittling  away  at  a  broad  slab  of 
cedar,  smiling  and  jeering,  and  in  the  best  of 
spirits,  despite  his  rather  solemn  occupation. 

"  For  a  fellow  who  wouldn't  sleep,  you've 
done  pretty  well.  See.  I've  caught  a  fish 
and  set  it  cooking.  I've  picked  a  pile  of  ber- 
ries, and  have  nearly  finished  this  headstone. 
Added  another  accomplishment  to  my  many 
— monument  maker.  But  I'm  wrong  to 
laugh  over  that,  though  the  poor  unknown 
to  whom  it  belongs  would  be  grateful  to  me, 
I've  no  doubt.     Lend  a  hand,  will  you?  " 

But  nothing  would  induce  Pierre  to  engage 
in  any  such  business.     Nor  would   he  touch 


DIFERGING  ROADS  191 

his  breakfast  while  Adrian's  knife  was  busy. 
He  sat  apart,  looking  anywhere  rather  than 
toward  his  mate,  and  talking  over  his  shoul- 
der to  him  in  a  strangely  subdued  voice. 

"  Adrian  !  " 

"Well?" 

"Most  done?" 

"  Nearly." 

"  What  you  going  to  put  on  it?  " 

"  I've  been  wondering.  Think  this  :  4  To 
the  Memory  of  My  Unknown  Brother.' 

44  Wh-a-a-t !  " 

Adrian  repeated  the  inscription, 

"  He  was  no  kin  to  you." 

14  We  are  all  kin.  It's  all  one  world,  God's 
world.  All  the  people  and  all  these  forests, 
and  the  creatures  in  them — I  tell  you  I've 
never  heard  a  sermon  that  touched  me  as  the 
sight  of  this  grave  in  the  wilderness  has 
touched  me.  I  mean  to  be  a  better,  kinder 
man,  because  of  it.  Margot  was  right,  none 
of  us  has  a  right  to  his  own  self.  She  told 
me  often  that  I  should  go  home  to  my  own 


192       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

folks  and  make  everything  right  with  them  ; 
then,  if  I  could,  come  back  and  live  in  the 
woods,  somewhere.  '  If  I  felt  I  must.'  But  I 
don't  feel  that  way  now.  I  want  to  get  back 
and  go  to  work.  I  want  to  live  so  that  when 
I  die — like  that  poor  chap,  yonder, — some- 
body will  have  been  the  better  for  my  life. 
Pshaw !  Why  do  I  talk  to  you  like  this  ? 
Anyway,  111  set  this  slab  in  place,  and 
then " 

Pierre  rose  and  still  without  looking  Ad- 
rian's way,  pushed  the  new  canoe  into  the 
water.  He  had  carefully  pitched  it,  on  the  day 
before,  with  a  mixture  of  the  old  pork  grease 
and  gum  from  the  trees,  so  that  there  need 
be  no  delay  at  starting. 

Adrian  finished  his  work,  lettered  the  slab 
with  a  coal  from  the  fire,  and  re-watered  the 
wild  flowers  he  had  already  planted. 

"  Aren't  you  going  to  eat  breakfast  first?  '; 

"  Not  in  a  graveyard,"  answered  Pierre, 
with  a  solemnity  that  checked  Adrian's  desire 
to  smile. 


DIVERGING  ROADS  193 

A  last  reverent  attention,  a  final  clearing  of 
all  rubbish  from  the  spot,  and  he,  too,  stepped 
into  the  canoe  and  picked  up  his  paddle. 
They  had  passed  the  rapids  and  reached  a 
smooth  stretch  of  the  river,  where  they  had 
camped,  and  now  pulled  steadily  and  easily 
away,  once  more  upon  their  journey  south. 
But  not  till  they  had  put  a  considerable  dis- 
tance between  themselves  and  that  woodland 
grave,  would  Pierre  consent  to  stop  and  eat 
the  food  that  Adrian  had  prepared.  Even 
then,  he  restricted  the  amount  to  be  con- 
sumed, remarking  with  doleful  conviction  : 

"  We're  going  to  be  starved  before  we  reach 
Donovan's.  The  '  food  stick  '  burnt  off  and 
dropped  into  the  fire,  last  night." 

Adrian  remembered  that  his  mate  had 
spoken  of  it  at  the  time,  when  by  some  care- 
lessness, they  had  not  secured  the  crotched 
sapling  on  which  they  hung  their  birch 
kettle. 

"  Oh !  you  simple  thing.  Why  will  you 
go    through     life    tormenting    yourself    with 


194       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

such  nonsense  ?  Come.  Eat  your  breakfast. 
We're  going  straight  to  Donovan's  as  fast  as 
we  can.  I've  done  with  the  woods  for  a  time. 
So  should  you  be  done.  You're  needed  at 
the  island.  Not  because  of  any  dreams  but 
because  the  more  I  recall  of  Mr.  Dutton's  ap- 
pearance the  surer  I  am  that  he  is  a  sick  man. 
You'll  go  back,  won't  you  ?  " 

"  Yes.     I'm  going  back.     Not  because  you 
ask  me,  though." 

"  I  don't  care  why — only  go." 
"  I'm  not  going  into  the  show  business." 
Adrian    smiled.       "  Of  course   you're   not. 
You'll  never  have  money  enough.     It  would 
cost  lots." 

"  'Tisn't  that.  'Twas  the  dream.  That  was 
sent  me.  All  them  animals  in  black  paint, 
and  the  blue  herons  without  any  heads, 
and— —  My  mother  came  for  me,  last  night." 
"  I  heartily  wish  you  could  go  to  her  this 
minute !  She's  superstitious  enough,  in  all 
conscience,  yet  she  has  the  happy  faculty  of 
keeping  her  lugubrious  son  in  subjection." 


DIVERGING  ROADS  195 

Whenever  Pierre  became  particularly  de- 
pressing the  other  would  rattle  off  as  many  of 
the  longest  words  as  occurred  to  him.  They 
had  the  effect  of  diverting  his  comrade's 
thoughts. 

Then  they  pulled  on  again,  nor- did  any- 
thing disastrous  happen  to  further  hinder 
their  progress.  The  food  did  not  give  out,  for 
they  lived  mostly  upon  berries,  having  neither 
time  nor  desire  to  stop  and  cook  their 
remnant  of  beans.  When  they  were  especially 
tired  Pierre  lighted  a  fire  and  made  a  bucket 
of  hemlock  tea,  but  Adrian  found  cold  water 
preferable  to  this  decoction;  and,  in  fact,  they 
were  much  nearer  Donovan's,  that  first  settle- 
ment in  the  wilderness,  than  even  Pierre  had 
suspected. 

Their  last  portage  was  made — an  easy  one, 
there  being  nothing  but  themselves  and  the 
canoe  to  carry — and  they  came  to  a  big  dead 
water  where  they  had  looked  to  find  another 
running  stream  ;  but  had  no  sooner  sighted  it 
than  their  ears  were  greeted  by  the  laughter 


196       A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  FOREST 

of  loons,  which  threw  up  their  legs  and  dived 
beneath  the  surface  in  that  absurd  manner 
which  Adrian  always  found  amusing. 

"  Bad  luck,  again  !  "  cried  Pierre,  instantly, 
"  never  hear  a  loon  but ' 

"  But  you  see  a  house  !  Look,  look  !  Dono- 
van's, or  somebody's,  no  matter  whose  !  A 
house,  a  house  !  " 

There,  indeed,  it  lay  ;  a  goodly  farmstead, 
with  its  substantial  cabins,  its  outbuildings, 
its  groups  of  cattle  on  the  cleared  land,  and — 
yes,  yes,  its  moving  human  beings,  and  what 
seemed  oddest  still,  its  teams  of  horses. 

Even  Pierre  was  silent,  and  tears  sprang  to 
the  eyes  of  both  lads  as  they  gazed.  Until  that 
moment  neither  had  fully  realized  how  lonely 
and  desolate  had  been  their  situation. 

"  Now  for  it !  It's  a  biggish  lake  and  we're 
pretty  tired  !  But  that  means  rest,  plenty  to 
eat,  people — everything." 

Their  rudely  built  canoe  was  almost  useless 
when  they  beached  it  at  last  on  Donovan's 
wharf,   and    their    own    strength    was    spent. 


DIVERGING  ROJDS  197 

But  it  was  a  hospitable  household  to  which 
they  had  come,  and  one  quite  used  to  welcom- 
ing wanderers  from  the  forest.  They  were  fed 
and  clothed  and  bedded,  without  question, 
but,  when  a  long  sleep  had  set  them  both 
right,  tongues  wagged  and  plans  were  settled 
with  amazing  promptness. 

For  there  were  other  guests  at  the  farm  ;  a 
party  of  prospectors,  going  north  into  the 
woods  to  locate  timber  for  the  next  season's 
cutting.  These  would  be  glad  of  Pierre's 
company  and  help,  and  would  pay  him  "  the 
going  wages."  But  they  would  not  return  by 
the  route  he  had  come,  though  by  leaving 
theirs  at  a  point  well  north,  he  could  easily 
make  his  way  back  to  the  island. 

"  So  you  shot  the  poor  moose  for  nothing. 
You  cannot  even  have  his  horns  !  "  said  Adrian 
reproachfully.  "  Well,  as  soon  as  I  can  vote, 
I  mean  to  use  all  my  influence  to  stop  this 
murder  in  the  forest." 

The  strangers  smiled  and  shrugged  their 
shoulders.     "  We're  after  game  ourselves,  as 


198       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

well  as  timber,  but  legislation  is  already  in 
progress  to  stop  the  indiscriminate  slaughter 
of  the  fast  disappearing  moose  and  caribou. 
Five  hundred  dollars  is  the  fine  to  be  imposed 
for  any  infringement  of  the  law,  once  passed." 

Pierre's  jaw  dropped.  He  was  so  impressed 
by  the  long  words  and  the  mention  of  that, 
to  him,  enormous  sum,  that  he  was  rendered 
speechless  for  a  longer  time  than  Adrian  ever 
remembered.  But,  if  he  said  nothing,  he  re- 
flected sadly  upon  the  magnificent  antlers  he 
should  see  no  more. 

Adrian's  affairs  were  also,  speedily  and 
satisfactorily  arranged.  Farmer  Donovan 
would  willingly  take  him  to  the  nearest  stage 
route ;  thence  to  a  railway  would  be  easy 
journeying  ;  and  by  steam  he  could  travel 
swiftly,  indeed,  to  that  distant  home  which  he 
now  so  longed  to  see. 

The  parting  of  the  lads  was  brief,  but  not 
without  emotion.  Two  people  cannot  go 
through  their  experiences  and  dangers,  to  re- 
main indifferent  to  each  other.     In  both  their 


DIVERGING  ROADS  199 

hearts  was  now  the  kindliest  feeling  and  the 
sincere  hope  that  they  should  meet  again. 
Pierre  departed  first  and  looked  back  many 
times  at  the  tall,  graceful  figure  of  his  comrade ; 
then  the  trees  intervened  and  the  forest  had 
again  swallowed  him  into  its  familiar  depths. 

Then  Adrian,  also,  stepped  upon  the  wait- 
ing buckboard  and  was  driven  over  the  rough 
road  in  the  opposite  direction. 

Three  days  later,  with  nothing  in  his  pocket 
but  his  treasured  knife,  a  roll  of  birch-bark, 
and  the  ten-dollar  piece  which,  through  all  his 
adventures,  he  had  worn  pinned  to  his  inner 
clothing,  "  a  make-piece  offering  "  to  his  mother 
he  reached  the  brown  stone  steps  to  his  father's 
city  mansion. 

There,  for  the  first  time,  he  hesitated.  All 
the  bitterness  with  which  he  had  descended 
those  steps,  banished  in  disgrace,  was  keenly 
remembered. 

"  Can  I,  shall  I,  dare  I  go  up  and  ring  that 
bell  ?  " 

A  vision   Moated  before  him.     Margot's  ear- 


200       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

nest  face  and  tear-dimmed  eyes.  Her  lips 
speaking  : 

"  If  I  bad  father  or  mother  anywhere — 
nothing  should  ever  make  me  leave  them.  I 
would  bear  everything — but  I  would  be  true 
to  them." 

An  instant  later  a  peal  rang  through  that 
silent  house,  such  as  it  had  not  echoed  in 
many  a  day.  What  would  be  the  answer  to 
it? 


CHAPTER   XVII 

IN  THE  HOUR  OF  DARKNESS 

"No  sign  yet?" 

"  No  sign."  Margot's  tone  was  almost  hope- 
less. Day  after  day,  many  times  each  day, 
she  had  climbed  the  pine-tree  flagstaff  and 
peered  into  the  distance.  Not  once  had  any- 
thing been  visible,  save  that  wide  stretch  of 
forest  and  the  shining  lake. 

"  Suppose  you  cross  again,  to  old  Joe's. 
He  might  be  back  by  this  time.  I'll  fix 
you  a  bite  of  dinner,  and  you  better. 
Maybe " 

The  girl  shook  her  head  and  clasped  her 
arms  about  old  Angelique's  neck.  Then  the 
long  repressed  grief  burst  forth  in  dry  sobs 
that  shook  them  both,  and  pierced  the  house- 
keeper's faithful  heart  with  a  pain  beyond  en- 
durance. 

201 


202       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Pst !  Pouf!  Hush,  sweetheart,  hush! 
Tis  nought,  A  few  days  more  and  the  mas- 
ter will  be  well.     A  few  days  more  and  Pierre 

will    come Ah !   but   I   had   my  hands 

about  his  ears  this  minute  !  That  would 
teach  him,  yes,  to  turn  his  back  on  duty, 
him.  The  ingrate  I  Well,  what  the  Lord 
sends  the  body  must  bear." 

Margot  lifted  her  head,  shook  back  her  hair, 
and  smiled  wanly.  The  veriest  ghost  of  her 
old  smile,  it  was,  yet  even  such  a  delight  to 
the  other's  eyes. 

"  Good.  That's  right.  Rouse  up.  There's 
a  wing  of  a  fowl  in  the  cupboard,  left  from 
the  master's  broth " 

"  Angelique,  he  didn't  touch  it,  to-day. 
Not  even  touch  it." 

"  'Tis  nought,  When  the  fever  is  on  the 
appetite  is  gone.     Will  be  all  right  once  that 


is  over." 


"  But,  will  it  ever  be  over?  Day  after  day, 
just  the  same.  Always  that  tossing  to  and 
fro,    the    queer,   jumbled    talk,    the    growing 


IN  THE   HOUR   OF  DARKNESS        203 

thinner — all  of  the  dreadful  signs  of  how 
he  suffers.  Angelique,  if  I  could  bear  it 
for  him !  I  am  so  young  and  strong  and 
worth  nothing  to  this  world  while  he's 
so  wise  and  good.  Everybody  who  ever 
knew  him  must  be  the  better  for  Uncle 
Huglne.1' 

"  Tis  truth.  For  that,  the  good  Lord  will 
spare  him  to  us.     Of  that  be  sure." 

"  But  I  pray  and  pray  and  pray,  and  there 
comes  no  answer.  He  is  never  any  better. 
You  know  that.  You  can't  deny  it.  Always 
before  when  I  have  prayed  the  answer  has 
come  swift  and  sure,  but  now " 

"  Take  care,  Mar-got.  'Tis  not  for  us  to 
judge  the  Lord's  strange  ways.  Else  were 
not  you  and  me  and  the  master  shut  up  alone 
on  this  island,  with  no  doctor  near,  and  only 
our  two  selves  to  keep  the  dumb  things  in 
comfort,  though,  as  for  dumbness,  hark  yonder 
beast !  " 

"  Reynard  !  Oh  !  I  forgot.  I  shut  him  up 
because  he  would  hang  about  the  house  and 


204       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

watch  your  poor  chickens.  If  he'd  stay  in  his 
own  forest  now,  I  would  be  so  glad.  Yet  I 
love  him " 

"  Aye,  and  he  loves  you.  Be  thankful. 
Even  a  beastie's  love  is  of  God's  sending. 
Go  feed  him.  Here.  The  wing  you'll  not 
eat  yourself." 

There  were  dark  days  now  on  the  once 
sunny  island  of  peace. 

That  day  when  Mr.  Dutton  had  said  : 
"  Your  father  is  still  alive  ;  "  seemed  now  to 
Margot,  looking  back,  as  one  of  such  experi- 
ences as  change  a  whole  life.  Up  till  that 
morning  she  had  been  a  thoughtless,  unreflect- 
ing child,  but  the  utterance  of  those  fateful 
words  altered  everything. 

Amazement,  unbelief  of  what  her  ears  told 
her,  indignation  that  she  had  been  so  long 
deceived — as  she  put  it — were  swiftly  followed 
by  a  dreadful  fear.  Even  while  he  spoke,  the 
woodlander's  figure  swayed  and  trembled,  the 
hoe-handle  on  which  he  rested  wavered  and 
fell,  and  he,  too,  would   have   fallen  had   not 


IN  THE  HOUR   OF  DARKNESS        205 

the  girl's  arms  caught  and  eased  his  sudden 
sinking  in  the  furrow  he  had  worked.  Her 
shrill  cry  of  alarm  had  reached  Angelique,  al- 
ways alert  for  trouble  and  then  more  than  ever, 
and  had  brought  her  swiftly  to  the  field.  Be- 
tween them  they  had  carried  the  now  uncon- 
scious man  within  and  laid  him  on  his  bed. 
He  had  never  risen  from  it  since  ;  nor,  in  her 
heart,  did  Angelique  believe  he  ever  would, 
though  she  so  stoutly  asserted  to  the  contrary 
before  Margot. 

"  We  have  changed  places,  Angelique,  dear," 
the  child  often  said.  "  It  used  to  be  you  who 
was  always  croaking  and  looking  for  trouble. 
Now  you  see  only  brightness." 

"  Well,  good  sooth.  Tis  a  long  lane  has  no 
turning  and  better  late  nor  never.  Sometimes 
'tis  well  to  say  '  stay  good  trouble  lest  worser 
comes/  eh  ?  But  things  '11  mend.  They 
must.  Now,  run  and  climb  the  tree.  It 
might  be  this  ver'  minute  that  wretch,  Pierre, 
was  on  his  way  across  the  lake.  Pouf !  But 
he'll  stir  his  lazy  bones,  once  he  touches  this 


206       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

shore  !  Yes,  yes,  indeed.  Run  and  hail  him, 
maybe." 

So  Margot  had  gone,  again  and  again,  and 
had  returned  to  sit  beside  her  uncle's  bed, 
anxious  and  watchful. 

Often,  also,  she  had  paddled  across  the  nar- 
rows and  made  her  way  swiftly  to  a  little 
clearing  on  her  uncle's  land,  where,  among 
giant  trees,  old  Joseph  Wills,  the  Indian  guide 
and  faithful  friend  of  all  on  Peace  Island, 
made  one  of  his  homes.  Once  Mr.  Dutton  had 
nursed  this  red  man  through  a  dangerous  ill- 
ness, and  had  kept  him  in  his  own  home  for 
many  weeks  thereafter.  He  would  have  been 
the  very  nurse  they  now  needed,  in  their  turn, 
could  he  have  been  found.  But  his  cabin  was 
closed,  and  on  its  doorway,  under  the  family 
sign-picture  of  a  turtle  on  a  rock,  he  had 
printed  in  dialect,  what  signified  his  depart- 
ure for  a  long  hunting  trip. 

Now,  as  Angelique  advised,  she  resolved  to 
try  once  more  ;  and  hurrying  to  the  shore, 
pushed  her  canoe  into  the  water  and  paddled 


IN  THE  HOUR   OF  DARKNESS        207 

swiftly  away.  She  had  taken  the  neglected 
Reynard  with  her  and  Tom  had  invited  him- 
self to  be  a  party  of  the  trip  ;  and  in  the  odd 
but  sympathetic  companionship,  Margot's 
spirits  rose  again. 

11  It  must  be  as  Angelique  says.  The  long 
lane  will  turn.  Why  have  I  been  so  easily  dis- 
couraged ?  I  never  saw  my  precious  uncle  ill 
before,  and  that  is  why  I  have  been  so  fright- 
ened. I  suppose  anybody  gets  thin  and  says 
things,  when  there  is  fever.  But  he's  troubled 
about  something.     He  wants  to  do  something 

that  neither  of   us   understand.     Unless 

Oh  !  I  believe  I  do  understand  !  My  head  is 
clearer  out  here  on  the  water,  and  I  know,  I 
know  !  it  is  just  about  the  time  of  year  when 
he  goes  away  on  those  long  trips  of  his.  And 
we've  been  so  anxious  we  never  remembered. 
That's  it.  That  surely  is  it.  Then,  of  course, 
Joe  will  be  back  now7  or  soon.  He  always 
stays  on  the  island  when  uncle  goes  and  he'll 
remember.  Oh  !  I'm  brighter  already,  and  I 
guess,  I  believe,  it  is  as  Angelique  claims — God 


208       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

won't  take  away  so  good  a  man  as  uncle  and 
leave  me  alone.  Though — I  am  not  alone ! 
I  have  a  father !  I  have  a  father,  somewhere, 
if  I  only  knew — all  in  good  time — and  I'm 
growing  gladder  and  gladder  every  minute." 

She  could  even  sing  to  the  stroke  of  her 
paddle  and  she  skimmed  the  water  with  in- 
creasing speed.  Whatever  the  reason  for  her 
growing  cheerfulness,  whether  the  reaction  of 
youth  or  a  prescience  of  happiness  to  come, 
the  result  was  the  same ;  she  reached  the 
further  shore  flushed  and  eager  eyed,  more 
like  the  old  Margot  than  she  had  heen  for 
many  days. 

"  Oh  !  he's  there.  He  is  at  home.  There 
is  a  smoke  coming  out  the  chimney.  Joseph  ! 
Oh  !    Joseph,  Joseph  !  " 

She  did  not  even  stop  to  take  care  of  her 
canoe  but  left  it  to  float  whither  it  would. 
Nothing  mattered,  Joseph  was  at  home.  He 
had  canoes  galore,  and  he  was  help  indeed. 

She  was  quite  right.  The  old  man  came  to 
his  doorway  and  waited  her  arrival  with  ap- 


IN  THE  HOUR   OF  DARKNESS        209 

parent  indifference,  though  surely  no  human 
heart  could  have  been  unmoved  by  such  un- 
feigned delight.  Catching  his  unresponsive 
hands  in  hers  she  cried  : 

"  Come  at  once,  Joseph  !     At  once  !  " 

"  Does  not  the  master  trust  his  friend  ?  It 
is  the  time  to  come.     Therefore  I  am  here." 

"  Of  course.  I  just  thought  about  that. 
But,  Joseph,  the  master  is  ill.  He  knows 
nothing  any  more.  If  he  ever  needed  you  he 
needs  you  doubly  now.  Come,  come  at 
once." 

Then,  indeed,  though  there  was  little  out- 
ward expression  of  it,  was  old  Joseph  moved. 
He  stopped  for  nothing,  but  leaving  his  fire 
burning  on  the  hearth  and  his  supper  cook- 
ing before  it,  went  out  and  closed  the  door. 
Even  Margot's  nimble  feet  had  ado  to  keep 
pace  with  his  long  strides  and  she  had  to 
spring  before  him  to  prevent  his  pushing  off' 
without  her. 

"  No,  no.  I'm  going  with  you.  Here.  Til 
tow  my  own  boat,  with  Tom  and  Reynard — 


210       A  DAUGHTER  OF  THE  FOREST 

don't  you  squabble,  pets  ! — but  I'll  paddle  no 
more  while  you're  here  to  do  it  for  me." 

Joseph  did  not  answer,  but  he  allowed  her 
to  seat  herself  where  she  pleased  and  with  one 
strong  movement  sent  his  big  birch  a  long 
distance  over  the  water. 

Margot  had  never  made  the  passage  so 
swiftly,  but  the  motion  suited  her  exactly, 
and  she  leaped  ashore  almost  before  it  was 
reached,  to  speed  up  the  hill  and  call  out  to 
Angelique  wherever  she  might  be  : 

"  All  is  well !  All  will  now  be  well — 
Joseph  has  come.'1 

The  Indian  reached  the  house  but  just  be- 
hind her  and  acknowledged  Angelique's  greet- 
ing with  a  sort  of  grunt ;  yet  he  paused  not 
at  all  to  ask  the  way  or  if  he  might  enter  the 
master's  room,  passing  directly  into  it  as  if 
by  right. 

Margot  followed  him,  cautioning,  with 
finger  on  lip,  anxious  lest  her  patient  should 
be  si  locked  and  harmed  by  the  too  sudden 
appearance  of  the  visitor. 


IN  THE  HOUR   OF  DJRKNESS        211 

Then  and  only  then,  when  her  beloved  child 
was  safely  out  of  sight  did  Angelique  throw 
her  apron  over  her  head  and  give  her  own 
despairing  tears  free  vent.  She  was  spent  and 
very  weary ;  but  help  had  come  ;  and  in  the 
revulsion  of  that  relief  nature  gave  way. 
Her  tears  ceased,  her  breath  came  heavily, 
and  the  poor  woman  slept,  the  first  refreshing 
slumber  of  an  unmeasured  time. 

When  she  waked  at  length,  Joseph  was 
crossing  the  room.  The  fire  had  died  out, 
twilight  was  falling,  she  was  conscious  of 
duties  left  undone.  Yet  there  was  light 
enough  left  for  her  to  scan  the  Indian's  im- 
passive face  with  keen  intensity,  and  though 
he  turned  neither  to  the  right  nor  left  but 
went  out  with  no  word  or  gesture  to  satisfy 
her  craving,  she  felt  that  she  had  had  her 
answer  : 

"  Unless  a  miracle  is  wrought  my  master  is 
doomed." 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

THE  LETTER 

From  the  moment  of  his  entrance  to  the 
sick  room,  old  Joe  assumed  all  charge  to  it, 
and  with  scant  courtesy  banished  from  it  both 
Angelique  and  Margot. 

11  But  he  is  mine,  my  own  precious  uncle. 
Joe  has  no  right  to  keep  me  out !  "  protested 
Margot,  vehemently. 

Angelique  was  wiser.  "  In  his  own  way, 
among  his  own  folks,  that  Indian  good  doctor. 
Leave  him  be.  Yes.  If  my  master  can  be 
save',  Joe  Wills  '11  save  him.  That's  as  God 
plans  ;  but  if  I  hadn't  broke " 

"  Angelique  !     Don't  you  ever,  ever  let  me 

hear  that  dreadful  talk  again  !     I  can't  bear  it. 

I  don't  believe  it.     I  won't  hear  it.     I  will  not. 

Do    you    suppose  that   our   dear    Lord   is — 

will " 

She    could    not    finish   her   sentence   and 

212 


THE  LETTER  213 

Angelique  was  frightened  by  the  intensity  of 
the  girl's  excitement.  Was  she,  too,  growing 
feverish  and  ill?  But  Margot's  outburst  had 
worked  off  some  of  her  own  uncomprehended 
terror,  and  she  grew  calm  again.  Though  it 
had  not  been  put  into  so  many  words,  she  knew 
from  both  Angelique's  and  Joseph's  manner 
that  they  anticipated  but  one  end  to  her 
guardian's  illness.  She  had  never  seen  death, 
except  among  the  birds  and  beasts  of  the 
forest,  and  even  then  it  had  been  horrible  to 
her  ;  and  that  this  should  come  into  her  own 
happy  home  was  unbearable. 

Then  she  reflected.  Hugh  Button's  ex- 
ample had  been  her  instruction,  and  she  had 
never  seen  him  idle.  At  times  when  he 
seemed  most  so,  sitting  among  his  books,  or 
gazing  silently  into  the  fire,  his  brain  had 
been  active  over  some  problem  that  perplexed 
or  interested  him.  tk  Never  hasting,  never 
wasting,"  time,  nor  thought,  nor  any  energy 
of  life.  That  was  his  rule  and  she  would 
make  it  hers. 


214       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  I  can,  at  least,  make  things  more  comfort- 
able ont  of  doors.  Angelique  has  let  even 
Snowfoot  suffer,  sometimes,  for  want  of  the 
grooming  and  care  she's  always  had.  The 
poultry,  too,  and  the  poor  garden.  I'm  glad 
I'm  strong  enough  to  rake  and  hoe,  even  if  I 
couldn't  lift  uncle  as  Joe  does." 

Her  industry  brought  its  own  reward. 
Things  outside  the  house  took  on  a  more 
natural  aspect.  The  weeds  were  cleared  away, 
and  both  vegetables  and  flowers  lifted  their 
heads  more  cheerfully.  Snowfoot  showed  the 
benefit  of  the  attention  she  received,  and  the 
forgotten  family  in  the  Hollow  chattered  and 
gamboled  in  delight  at  the  reappearance 
among  them  of  their  indulgent  mistress. 
Margot  herself  grew  lighter  of  heart  and  more 
positive  that,  after  all,  things  would  end  well. 

"  You  see,  Angelique  dismal,  we  might  as 
well  take  that  broken  glass  sign  to  mean  good 
things  as  evil.  That  uncle  will  soon  be  up 
and  around  again  ;  Pierre  be  at  home  ;  and 
the    '  specimen '    from    the    old    cave    prove 


THE  LETTER  215 

copper  or  something  just  as  rich  ;  and — every- 
body be  as  happy  as  a  king." 

Angelique  grunted  her  disbelief,  but  was 
thankful  for  the  other's  lighter  mood. 

"  Well,  then,  if  you've  so  much  time  and 
strength  to  spare,  go  yonder  and  clean  up  the 
room  that  Adrian  left  so  untidy.  Where  he 
never  should  have  been,  had  I  my  own  way  ; 
but  one  never  has  that  in  this  world  ;  hey, 
no.  Indeed,  no.  Ever'thin'  goes  contrary, 
else  I'd  have  cleared  away  all  trace  long  sin'. 
Yes,  indeed,  yes." 

"  Well,  he  is  gone.  There's  no  need  to 
abuse  him,  even  if  he  did  not  have  the 
politeness  to  say  good-bye.  Though,  I  suppose, 
it  was  my  uncle  who  put  a  stop  to  that.  What 
uncle  has  to  do  he  does  at  once.  There's 
never  any  hesitation  about  uncle.  But  I 
wish — I  wish — Angelique  Ricord,  do  you 
know  something?  Do  you  know  all  the 
history  of  this  family  ?  " 

"Why  should  I  not,  eh?  "demanded  the 
woman,    indignantly.     "  Is    it    not    my    own 


216       A  DJUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

family,  yes  ?  What  is  Pierre  but  one  son  ?  I 
love  him,  oh  !  yes.     But — — " 

"  You  adore  him,  bad  and  trying  as  he  is. 
But  there  is  something  you  must  tell  me.  If 
you  know  it.  Maybe  you  do  not.  I  did  not, 
till  that  awful  morning  when  he  was  taken 
ill.  But  that  very  minute  he  told  me  what  I 
had  never  dreamed.  I  was  angry  ;  for  a  mo- 
ment I  almost  hated  him  because  he  had  de- 
ceived me,  though  afterward  I  knew  that  he 
had  done  it  for  the  best  and  would  tell  me 
why  when  he  could.  So  I've  tried  to  trust 
him  just  the  same  and  be  patient.  But — he 
may  never  be  able — and  I  must  know. 
Angelique,  where  is  my  father?  " 

The  housekeeper  was  so  startled  that  she 
dropped  the  plate  she  was  wiping  and  broke 
it.  Yet  even  at  that  fresh  omen  of  disaster 
she  could  not  remove  her  gaze  from  the  girl's 
face  nor  banish  the  dismay  of  her  own. 

"  He  told— you— that— that " 

"  That  my  father  is  still  alive.  He  would, 
I  think  have  told  me  more  ;  all  that  there 


WHERE    IS    MY    FATHER? 


THE  LETTER  217 

may  be  yet  to  tell,  if  he  had  not  so  suddenly 
been  stricken.     Where  is  my  father  ?  ' 

"  Oh  !  child,  child  !  Don't  ask  me.  It  is 
not  for  me " 

"  If  uncle  cannot  and  you  can,  and  there  is 
no  other  person,  Angelique — you  must ! " 

"  This  much,  then.  It  is  in  a  far,  far  away 
city,  or  town,  or  place,  he  lives.  I  know  not, 
I.  This  much  I  know.  He  is  good,  a  ver' 
good  man.  And  he  have  enemies.  Yes. 
They  have  done  him  much  harm.  Some  day, 
in  many  years,  maybe  when  you  have  grown 
a  woman,  old  like  me,  he  will  come  to  Peace 
Island  and  forget.  That  is  why  we  wait. 
That  is  why  the  master  goes,  once  each  sum- 
mer, on  the  long,  long  trip.  When  Joseph 
comes,  and  the  bad  Pierre  to  stay.  I,  too, 
wait  to  see  him  though  I  never  have.  And 
when  he  comes,  we  must  be  ver'  tender,  me 
and    you,    for    people   who    have    been    done 

wrong    to,     thev — they Pouf !     'Twas 

anger   I  was   that   the   master  could  put  the 
evil-come  into  that  room,  yes." 


218       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Angelique  !  Is  that  my  father's  room  ?  Is 
it  ?  Is  that  why  there  are  the  very  best  things 
in  it  ?  And  that  wonderful  picture  ?  And  the 
fresh  suits  of  clothing?     Is  it?  " 

Angelique  slowly  nodded.  She  had  been 
amazed  to  find  that  Margot  knew  thus  much 
of  a  long  withheld  history,  and  saw  no  harm 
in  adding  these  few  facts.  The  real  secret,  the 
heart  of  the  matter — that  was  not  yet.  Mean- 
while, let  the  child  accustom  herself  to  the 
new  ideas  and  so  be  prepared  for  what  she 
must  certainly  learn,  should  the  master's  ill- 
ness be  a  fatal  one. 

"  Oh  !  then,  hear  me.  That  room  shall 
always  now  be  mine  to  care  for.  I  haven't 
liked  the  housewifery,  not  at  all.  But  if  I 
have  a  father  and  I  can  do  things  for  him — 
that  alters  everything.  Oh !  you  can't  mean 
that  it  will  be  so  long  before  he  comes.  You 
must  have  been  jesting.  If  he  knew  uncle 
was  ill  he  would  come  at  once,  wouldn't  he? 
He  would,  I  know." 

Poor  Angelique  turned    her  face  away  to 


THE  LETTER  219 

hide  its  curious  expression,  but  in  her  new 
interest  concerning  the  "  friend's  room,"  as  it 
had  always  been  called,  Margot  did  not  notice 
this.  She  was  all  eagerness  and  loving  ex- 
citement. 

"  To  think  that  I  have  a  father  who  may 
come,  at  any  minute,  for  he  might,  Angelique, 
you  know  that,  and  not  be  ready  for  him. 
Your  best  and  newest  broom,  please ;  and  the 
softest  dusters.  That  room  shall,  indeed,  be 
cleaned  better  than  anybody  else  could  do  it. 
Just  hurry,  please,  I  must  begin.  I  must  be- 
gin right  away." 

She  trembled  so  that  she  could  hardly 
braid  and  pin  up  her  long  hair  out  of  the 
way,  and  her  face  had  regained  more  than 
its  old-time  color.  She  was  content  to  let 
all  that  was  still  a  mystery  remain  for  the 
present.  She  had  enough  to  think  about  and 
enjoy. 

Angelique  brought  the  things  that  would  be 
needed  and,  for  once,  forbore  advice.  Let 
love  teach  the  child — she  had  nought  to  say. 


220       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

In  any  case  she  could  not  have  seen  the  dust, 
herself,  for  her  dark  eyes  were  misty  with 
tears,  and  her  thoughts  on  matters  wholly 
foreign  to  household  cares. 

Margot  opened  the  windows  and  began  to 
dust  the  various  articles  which  could  be  set 
out  in  the  wide  passage,  and  did  not  come 
round  to  the  heavy  dresser  for  some  moments. 
As  she  did  so,  finally,  her  glance  flew  instantly 
to  a  bulky  parcel,  wrapped  in  sheets  of  white 
birch-bark,  and  bearing  her  own  name,  in 
Adrian's  handwriting. 

"  Why,  he  did  remember  me,  then  !  "  she 
cried,  delightedly,  tearing  the  package  open. 
"  Pictures !  the  very  ones  I  liked  the  best. 
Xanthippe  and  Socrates,  and  oh  !  that's  Rey- 
nard !  Reynard,  ready  to  speak  !  The  splen- 
did, beautiful  creature !  and  the  splendid, 
generous  boy  to  have  given  it.  He  called  it 
his  '  masterpiece '  and,  indeed,  it  was  by  far 
the  best  he  ever  did  here.  Harmony  Hollow 
— but  that's  not  so  fine.  However,  he  meant 
to  make  it  like,  and Why,  here's  a  note. 


THE  LETTER  221 

Why  didn't  I  come  in  here  before?  Why 
didn't  I  think  he  would  do  something  like 
this?  Forgive  me,  Adrian,  wherever  you  are, 
for  misjudging  you  so.  I'm  sorry  uncle  didn't 
like  you  and  sorry— for  lots  of  things.  But 
I'm  glad,  glad  you  weren't  so  rude  and  mean 
as  I  believed.  If  I  ever  see  you  I'll  tell  you 
so.  Now,  I'll  put  these  in  my  own  room  and 
then  get  to  work  again.  This  room  you  left 
so  messed  shall  be  as  spotless  as  a  snowflake 
before  I'm  done  with  it." 

For  hours  she  labored  there,  brushing, 
renovating,  polishing ;  and  when  all  was  fin- 
ished she  called  Angelique  to  see  and  criticise 
— if  she  could  !  But  she  could  not ;  and  she, 
too,  had  something  now  of  vital  importance 
to  impart. 

"  It  is  beautiful'  done,  yes,  yes.  I  couldn't 
do  it  more  clean  myself,  I,  Angelique,  no. 
But,  my  child !  Hear,  hear,  and  be  calm ! 
The  master  is  himself!  The  master  has 
awoke,  yes,  and  is  askin'  for  his  child  !  True, 
true.     Old  Joe,  he  says,  '  Come.     Quick,  soft, 


222       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

no  cry,  no  laugh,  just  listen.'  Yes.  Oh  !  now 
all  will  be  well." 

Margot  almost  hushed  her  very  breathing. 
Her  uncle  awake,  sane,  asking  for  her !  Her 
face  was  radiant,  flushed,  eager,  a  face  to 
brighten  the  gloom  of  any  sick  room,  however 
dark. 

But  this  one  was  not  dark.  Joe  knew  his 
patient's  fancies.  He  had  forgotten  none. 
One  of  them  was  the  sunshine  and  fresh  air ; 
and  though  in  his  heart  he  believed  that  these 
two  things  did  a  world  of  harm,  and  that  the 
ill-ventilated  and  ill-lighted  cabins  of  his  own 
people  were  more  conducive  to  recovery,  he 
opposed  nothing  which  the  master  desired. 
He  had  experimented,  at  first,  but  finding  a 
close  room  aggravated  Mr.  Dutton's  fever, 
reasoned  that  it  was  too  late  to  break  up  the 
foolish  habits  of  a  man's  lifetime ;  and  as  the 
woodlander  had  lived  in  the  sunlight  so  he 
would  better  die  in  it,  and  easier. 

If  she  had  been  a  trained  nurse  Margot 
could  not  have  entered  her  uncle's  presence 


THE  LETTER  223 

more  quietly,  though  it  seemed  to  her  that  he 
must  hear  the  happy  beating  of  her  heart  and 
how  her  breath  came  fast  and  short,  He  was 
almost  too  weak  to  speak  at  all,  but  there  was 
all  the  old  love,  and  more,  in  his  whispered 
greeting  : 

"  My  precious  child  !  " 

"  Yes,  uncle.  And  such  a  happy  child  be- 
cause you  are  better." 

She  caught  his  hand  and  covered  it  with 
kisses,  but  softly,  oh  !  so  softly,  and  he  smiled 
the  rare  sweet  smile  that  she  had  feared  she'd 
never  see  again.  Then  he  looked  past  her  to 
Angelique  in  the  doorway  and  his  eyes  moved 
toward  his  desk  in  the  corner.  A  little  fanciful 
desk  that  held  only  his  most  sacred  belong- 
ings and  had  been  Margot's  mother's.  It  was 
to  be  hers  some  day,  but  not  till  he  had  done 
with  it,  and  she  had  never  cared  to  own  it 
since  doing  so  meant  that  he  could  no  longer 
use  it.  Now  she  watched  him  and  Angelique 
wonderinglv. 

For  the  woman  knew  exactly  what  was  re- 


224:       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

quired.  Without  question  or  hesitation  she 
answered  the  command  of  his  eyes  by  cross- 
ing to  the  desk  and  opening  it  with  a  key  she 
took  from  her  own  pocket.  Then  she  lifted  a 
letter  from  an  inner  drawer  and  gave  it  into 
his  thin  fingers. 

"  Well  done,  good  Angelique.  Margot — the 
letter — is  yours." 

"  Mine  ?     I  am  to  read  it  ?    Now  ?    Here  ?  " 

"  No,  no.  No,  no,  indeed !  Would  you 
tire  the  master  with  the  rustlin'  of  paper? 
Take  it  else.  Not  here,  where  ever'thin'  must 
be  still  as  still." 

Mr.  Dutton's  eyes  closed.  Angelique  knew 
that  she  had  spoken  for  him  and  that  the  dis- 
closure which  that  letter  would  make  should 
be  faced  in  solitude. 

"  Is  she  right,  uncle,  dearest?  Shall  I  take 
it  away  to  read  ?  " 

His  eyes  assented,  and  the  tender,  reassur- 
ing pressure  of  his  hand. 

"  Then  I'm  going  to  your  own  mountain- 
top  with  it.     To  think  of  having  a  letter  from 


THE  LETTER  225 

you,  right  here  at  home !  Why,  I  can  hardly 
wait !  I'm  so  thankful  to  you  for  it,  and  so 
thankful  to  God  that  you  are  getting  well. 
That  you  will  be  soon  ;  and  then — why,  then 
— we'll  go  a-fishing  !  " 

A  spasm  of  pain  crossed  the  sick  man's 
wasted  features  and  poor  Angelique  fled  the 
place,  forgetful  of  her  own  caution  to  "  be  still 
as  still,"  and  with  her  own  dark  face  convulsed 
with  grief  for  the  grief  which  the  letter 
would  bring  to  her  idolized  Margot. 

But  the  girl  had  already  gone  away  up  the 
slope,  faster  and  faster.  Surely  a  letter  from 
nobody  but  her  uncle  and  at  such  a  solemn 
time  must  concern  but  one  subject — her  father. 
Now  she  would  know  all,  and  her  happiness 
should  have  no  limit. 

But  it  was  nightfall  when  she,  at  last,  came 
down  from  the  mountain,  and  though  there 
were  no  signs  of  tears  upon  her  face  neither 
was  there  any  happiness  in  it. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

A  •  QUESTION   OF   APPAREL 

"The  master." 

"  He  wants  me  ?  " 

Joe  nodded  and  went  out  of  doors.  But  it 
was  noticeable  that  he  merely  walked  around 
to  the  rear  of  the  sick  room  and  stationed 
himself  beside  the  open  window.  Not  that  he 
might  overhear  the  conversation  within,  but  to 
be  near  if  he  were  needed.  He  cast  one  stern 
look  upon  Margot,  as  he  summoned  her,  and 
was  evidently  reassured  by  her  own  calmness. 

Three  days  had  passed  since  she  had  been 
given  that  fateful  letter,  and  she  had  had 
time  to  think  over  its  startling  contents  in 
ever}^  connection.  There  was  now  not  the 
slightest  blame  of  her  guardian  for  having  so 
long  kept  her  in  ignorance  of  her  father's 
existence ;    and,   indeed,  her   love    had    been 

226 


A  QUESTION  OF  APPAREL  227 

strengthened,  if  that  were  possible.  The  sick 
man  had  gained  somewhat,  though  he  was  yet 
very  weak  and  recovery  was  still  a  question. 
But,  with  improvement,  came  again  the 
terrible  restlessness  and  impatience  with  the 
circumstances  which  kept  him  a  prisoner  in 
bed,  when,  of  all  times  in  the  year,  he  would 
be  up  and  abroad. 

When  the  child  entered  the  room  he  was 
watching  for  her,  eagerly,  anxiously.  How 
had  she  borne  his  news?  How  would  she 
greet  him  ? 

Her  first  glance  answered  him.  It  was  so 
tender,  so  pitiful,  so  strong. 

"  My  darling  !  My  own  Margot  !  I — need 
not — have  feared." 

"  There  is  nothing  to  fear,  dearest  uncle. 
Fear  must  have  been  done  with  years  ago, 
when — when — it  happened.  Now,  now,  it  is 
time  for  hope,  for  confidence." 

He  shook  his  head  mournfully.  Then  he 
asked  : 

"  You  will  let  it  make  no  difference  in  your 


228       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

love,  your  loyalty  to  him,  when — when  he 
comes  ?     If  he  lives  to  come  ?  " 

"If  he  had  been  a  father  who  did  not 
come  because  he  would  not,  then,  maybe,  I 
don't  know.  But  a  father  who  could  not 
come,  who  has  been  so  cruelly,  frightfully 
wronged — why,  uncle  !  all  my  life,  no  matter 
how  long,  all  my  care  and  devotion,  no 
matter  how  great,  will  never,  never  be  able  to 
express  one-half  of  my  love.  And  I  bless  you 
more  for  your  faithfulness  to  him  than  for  all 
you've  ever  done  for  me — yet  even  my  debt  to 
you  is  boundless." 

"  My  own  impulsive,  overgrateful  Margot ! 
As  if  it  had  not  been  also  all  my  life,  my 
happiness.  Well,  since  I  cannot  go,  you 
must  write  to  him.  For  me  and  for  yourself. 
Explaining  why  I  cannot  come,  just  yet,  but 
that  I  will  as  soon  as  may  be.  Make  it  a 
letter  such  as  you  have  talked  just  now  and 
it  will  be  better  to  his  hungry  heart  than  even 
a  sight  of  his  old  friend  and  brother." 

"  I  will  write  as  many  letters  for  you  as  you 


A  QUESTION  OF  APPAREL  229 

please,    but — I     will    deliver    them    in    per- 


son." 


He  did  not  get  the  full  import  of  her  words, 
at  first,  but  when  he  did  he  frowned.  It  hurt 
him  beyond  expression  that  she  should  jest  on 
such  a  subject,  even  for  the  laudable  purpose 
of  cheering  himself. 

Then  he  felt  her  cool  hand  on  his  wrist, 

"  Uncle,  I  mean  it.  I  have  thought  it  over 
and  over.  I  have  thought  of  nothing  else, 
except  that  you  were  getting  better,  and  I 
know  I  am  right,  I  am  going  to  see  my 
father.  I  am  going  to  get  my  father.  I  shall 
never  come  back  without  him.  But  I  shall 
certainly  come,  and  he  with  me.  You  cannot 
go.     I  can,  I  want  to,  beyond  telling.    I  must." 

A  thousand  objections  flashed  through  his 
mind  and  the  struggle  to  comprehend  just 
what  were  and  were  not  valid  ones  wearied 
him.  For  some  time  neither  of  them  spoke 
again,  but  clasped  hands  until  he  fell  into  a 
sudden  sleep.  Even  then  Margot  did  not 
release  her  hold,  though  her  cramped  position 


230       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

numbed  her  arm,  and  her  impatience  to  make 
him  see  matters  from  her  point  of  view  was 
hard  to  control.  But  he  awoke  almost  as 
suddenly  as  he  had  dozed,  and  with  a  clear 
idea  of  her  meaning.  After  all,  how  simple 
it  was !  and  what  an  infinite  relief  to  his 
anxiety. 

"  Tell  me  what  you  think." 

"  This :  My  father  must  not  be  disap- 
pointed. Your  visit,  the  one  link  that  con- 
nects him  with  his  old  life  and  happiness,  is 
impossible.  Each  year  you  have  taken  him 
reports  of  me  and  how  I  grew.  I'm  going  to 
show  him  whether  you  represented  me  as  I 
am  or  as  your  partial  eyes  behold  me.  .  More 
than  that,  I  must  go.  I  must  see  him.  I 
must  put  my  arms  about  his  neck  and  tell 
him  that  I  love  him,  as  my  mother  loved  him, 
with  all  his  child's  affection  added.  I  must, 
It  is  my  right." 

"  But — how.  You've  never  been  beyond 
the  forest.  You  are  so  young  and  ignorant  of 
—everything." 


A  QUESTION  OF  APPAREL  231 

"Maybe  I  shall  do  all  the  better  for  that 
reason.  '  Know  nothing,  fear  nothing,'  and  I 
certainly  am  not  afraid.  We  are  looking  for 
Pierre  to  come  home,  any  day.  He  should 
have  been  here  long  ago.  As  soon  as  he 
comes  I  will  start.  Old  Joseph  shall  go  with 
me.  He  knows  what  I  do  not,  of  towns  and 
routes,  and  all  those  troublesome  things. 
You  will  give  us  the  money  it  will  cost ;  and 
enough  to  pay  for  my  father's  coming  home. 
I  have  made  his  room  ready.  There  isn't  a 
speck  or  spot  in  it,  and  there  are  fresh  flowers 
every  day.  There  have  been  ever  since  I 
knew  that  room  was  his.  I  shall  go  to  that 
city  of  New  York  where — where  it  happened, 
and  I  shall  find  out  the  truth.  I  shall  cer- 
tainly bring  him  home  with  me." 

It  was  absurd.  He  said  that  to  himself,  not 
once  but  many  times  ;  yet  despite  his  com- 
mon sense  and  his  bitter  experience,  he  could 
not  but  catch  something  of  her  hopefulness. 
Yet  so  much  the  more  hard  to  bear  would  be 
her  disappointment. 


232       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Dear,  I  have  no  right,  it  may  be,  to  stop 
you.  It  was  agreed  upon  between  us  that, 
when  you  were  sixteen  years  old,  if  nothing 
happened  to  make  it  unnecessary,  you  should 
be  told,  That  is,  if  I  believed  you  had  a 
character  which  could  endure  sorrow  and  not 
turn  bitter  under  it.  I  do  so  believe,  I  know. 
But  though  you  may  make  tlie  journey,  if  you 
wish  and  it  can  be  arranged  safely,  you  must 
not  even  hope  to  do  more  than  see  your  father 
and  that  only  for  a  brief  time." 

Margot  smiled.  The  same  bright,  uncon- 
vinced smile  with  which  she  had  always  re- 
ceived any  astonishing  statement.  When,  not 
much  more  than  a  baby,  she  had  been  told 
that  fire  would  burn,  she  had  laughed  her 
unbelief  that  fire  would  burn,  and  had  thrust 
her  small  hand  into  the  flame.  The  fire  had 
burned,  but  she  had  still  smiled,  and  bravely, 
though  her  lips  trembled  and  there  were  tears 
upon  her  cheeks. 

"  I  must  go,  uncle.  It  is  my  right,  and  his. 
I   must  try  this  matter  for  mvself.     I  shall 


A  QUESTION  OF  APPAREL  233 

never  be  happy  else  and  I  shall  succeed.  I 
shall.  I  trust  in  God,  You  have  taught  me 
that  He  never  fails  those  who  trust  in  Him." 

"  Have  I  not  trusted  ?  Have  I  not  prayed  ? 
Did  I  not  labor  till  labor  was  useless  ?  But, 
there,  child,  Not  for  me  to  darken  your 
faith.  His  ways  are  not  as  our  ways,  else  this 
had  never  come.  But  you  shall  go.  You 
are  right ;  and  may  He  prosper  your  devo- 
tion !  " 

She  saw  that  he  was  tired  and,  having 
gained  his  consent,  went  gladly  away  to 
Angelique,  to  consult  with  that  disturbed  per- 
son concerning  her  journey. 

Angelique  heard  this  strange  announcement 
with  incredulity.  The  master  was  delirious 
again.  That  was  the  explanation.  Else  he 
wouid  never,  never  have  consented  for  this 
outrageous  journey  from  Pontius  to  Pilate, 
with  only  a  never-say-any thing  old  Indian  for 
escort. 

"  But  you're  part  Indian  yourself,  sweet 
Angelique,  so  don't  abuse  your  own  race.     As 


234       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

for  knowing  nothing,  who  but  Joe  could  have 
brought  my  uncle  through  this  dreadful  sick- 
ness so  well  ?  I  believe  it  is  all  a  beautiful 
plan. 

"  Well,  we'll  see.  If  Adrian  had  not  come, 
maybe  my  uncle  would  never  have  told  me 
all  he  has.  The  letter  was  written,  you  know 
that,  because  he  feared  he  might  not  live  to 
tell  it  with  his  lips.  And  even  when  he  was 
getting  better  he  thought  I  still  should  learn 
the  truth,  and  the  written  pages  held  it  all. 
I'm  so  glad  I  know.  Oh  !  Angelique,  think  ! 
How  happy,  how  happy  we  shall  be  when  my 
father  comes  home  !  " 

"  'Tis  that  bad  Pierre  who  should  be  comin', 
yes.  Wait  till  I  get  my  hands  about  his 
ears." 

"  Pierre's  too  big  to  have  his  ears  boxed.  I 
don't  wonder  he  hates  it,  I  think  I  would — 
would  box  back  again  if  anybody  treated  me 
to  that  indignity." 

"  Pst.  Pouf!  you  are  you,  and  Pierre  is 
Pierre  ;  and  as  long  as  he  is  in  the  world  and 


A  QUESTION  OF  APPAREL  235 

I  am,  if  his  ears  need  boxiir,  I  shall  box 
them.     I,  his  mother." 

"  Oh  !  very  well.  Suit  yourself,  But  now, 
Angelique  ! ' 

"Well?  I  must  go  set  the  churn,  Yes, 
I've  wasted  too  much  time,  already,  bein' 
taught  my  manners  by  a  chit  of  a  thing  like 
you.     Yes.     I  have  so.     Indeed,  yes." 

"  Come,  Angelique.  Be  good.  When  you 
were  young,  and  lived  in  the  towns,  did  the 
girls  who  went  a-journeying  wear  bonnets? ' 

"Did  they  not?  And  the  good  Book  that 
the  master  reads  o'  nights,  sayin'  the  women 
must  cover  their  heads.  Hmm.  I've  thought 
a  many  time  how  his  readin'  and  his  rearin' 
didn't  go  hand  in  glove.  Bonnets,  indeed  ! 
Have  I  not  the  very  one  I  wore  when  I  came 
to  Peace  Island.  A  charmin'  thing,  all  green 
ribbons  and  red  roses.  I  shall  wear  it  again. 
to  my  Pierre's  weddin'.  'Tis  for  that  I've 
been  savin'  it.  And,  well,  because  a  body 
has  no  need  to  wear  out  bonnets  on  this  bit 
of  land  in  water.     No." 


236       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

But  Angelique  was  a  true  woman  ;  and  once 
upon  the  subject  of  dress  her  mind  refused  to 
be  drawn  thence.  She  recalled  items  of  what 
had  been  her  own  trousseau,  ignoring  Margot's 
ridicule  of  the  clumsy  Pierre  as  a  bridegroom, 
and  even  her  assertion  that :  "  I  should  pity 
his  wife,  for  I  expect  her  ears  would  have  to 
be  boxed,  also." 

"  Come  yon.  I've  that  I  will  show  you. 
Tis  your  mother's  own  lovely  clothes.  Just 
as  she  wore  them  here,  and  carefully  folded 
away  for  you  till  you  needed  them.  Well, 
that  is  now,  I  suppose,  if  you're  to  be  let  gad 
all  over  the  earth,  with  as  good  a  home  as 
girl  ever  had  right  here  in  the  peaceful 
woods." 

"  Oh  !  show  them  to  me,  Angelique.  Quick. 
Why  have  you  never  before?  Of  course,  I 
shall  need  them  now.  And,  Angelique !  That 
is  some  more  of  the  beautiful  plan.  The  work- 
ing out  of  the  pattern.  Else  why  should 
there  be  the  clothes  here  when  I  need  clothes  ? 
Answer  me  that,  good  Angelique,  if  you  can." 


A  gUESTIOX  OF  APPAREL  237 

"  Pst.  'Twas  always  a  bothersome  child 
for  questions.  But  answer  one  yourself.  If 
you  had  had  them  before  would  you  have 
had  them  ready  now,  and  the  pleasure  of 
them?  No.  No,  indeed.  But  come.  The 
clothes  and  then  the  churnin'.  If  that  Pierre 
were  here,  'twould  not  be  my  arms  would  have 
to  ache  this  night  with  the  dash,  dash,  dashin'. 
No.     No,  indeed,  no.     But  come." 

Alas!  Of  all  the  carefully  preserved  and 
dainty  garments  there  was  not  one  which 
Margot  could  wrear. 

"  Why,  Angelique  !  What  a  tiny  thing  she 
must  have  been  !  I  can't  get  even  my  hand 
through  the  wrist  of  this  sleeve.  And  look 
here.  This  skirt  is  away  up  as  short  as  my 
own.  If  I've  to  wear  short  ones  I'll  not 
change  at  all.  In  the  pictures,  I've  seen 
lovely  ladies  with  skirts  on  the  ground  and  I 
thought  that  was  the  way  I  should  look  if  I 
ever  went  into  the  world." 

"  Eh  ?  What  ?  Lovely  ?  You  ?  Hmm. 
Lovely  is  that   lovely  does.      Vanity  is  a  dis- 


238       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

grace  to  any  woman.  Has  not  the  master 
said  that  often  and  often  ?  " 

Margot  flushed.  She  was  not  conscious  of 
vanity,  yet  she  did  not  question  Angelique's 
opinion.     But  she  rallied. 

"  I  don't  think  I  should  feel  at  all  vain  if  I 
put  on  any  of  these  things.  That  is,  if  I 
could  even  get  them  on.  I  should  all  the 
time  be  thinking  how  uncomfortable  I  was. 
Well,  that's  settled.  I  wear  my  own  clothes, 
and  not  even  my  dear  mother's.  Hers  I  will 
always  keep  for  her  sake ;  but  to  her  great 
daughter  they  are  useless.  And  I'll  go  bare- 
headed just  as  here.  Why  not?  I  certainly 
don't  need  a  bonnet,  with  all  this  hair." 

Now  Margot's  hair  was  Angelique's  especial 
pride.  Indeed,  it  was  a  wonderful  glory  upon 
that  shapel}7  young  head  ;  but  again  this  was 
not  to  be  admitted. 

"Hair!  What's  hair?  Not  but  you've 
enough  of  it  for  three  women,  for  that  matter. 
But  it  will  not  do  to  go  that  way.  It  must 
be    braided    and    pinned    fast.      Here    is    a 


A  QUESTION  OF  APPAREL  239 

bonnet,  not  so  gay  as  mine,  and  I  would  trust 
you  with  that — only " 

"  I  wouldn't  wear  it,  dear  Angelique.  It's 
lovely  and  kind  for  you  to  even  think  of 
offering.  You  must  keep  that  for  Pierre's 
wife,  and " 

"  I  should  like  to  see  her  with  it  on  ! 
Huh!     Indeed!     Pouf!" 

"  There  are  hats  enough  of  my  own 
mother's,  and  to  wear  one  may  be  another 
piece  of  your  'good  luck.'  I  shall  wear  this 
one.  It  is  all  blue  like  my  frocks,  and  the 
little  brown  ribbon  is  the  color  of  my  shoes. 
Adrian  would  say  that  was  '  artistic,'  if  he 
were  here.  Oh  !  Angelique  !  When  I  go  to 
that  far  city,  do  you  suppose  I  shall  see 
Adrian  ?     Do  you  ?  " 

"  Do  you  go  there  to  break  your  uncle's 
heart  again?  Tis  not  Adrian  you  will  see, 
ever  again,  I  hope.  No.  Indeed,  no.  See. 
This  shawl.  It  goes  so ; "  and  Angelique 
adjusted  the  soft,  rich  fabric  around  her  own 
shoulders,  put   a  hat  jauntily  upon  her  head, 


240       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

and  surveyed  the  effect  with  undisguised  ad- 
miration, as  reflected  in  the  little  mirror  in 
the  lid  of  the  big  trunk. 

"  Angelique !  Angelique,  take  care  !  '  Vanity 
is  a  disgrace  to  any  woman  ! '  What  if  that 
misguided  Pierre  should  see  you  now  ?  What 
would  he  think  of  his " 

Hark  !  What  was  that  ?  How  dared  old 
Joseph  tramp  through  the  house  at  such  a 
pace,  with  such  a  noise?  and  the  master  still 
so  weak.     Why 

The  indignant  house-mistress  disappeared 
with  indignation  blazing  in  her  eyes. 

Margot,  also,  stood  still  in  the  midst  of  her 
finery,  listening  and  almost  as  angry  as  the 
other  ;  till  there  came  back  to  her  another 
sound  so  familiar  and  reassuring  that  her 
fears  were  promptly  banished,  while  one 
more  anxiety  was  lifted  from  her  heart. 


CHAPTER  XX 

COMING    AND    GOING 

"  Pierre  !  and  Angelique  is  boxing  his 
ears  !  My,  what  a  whack,  that  I  can  hear  it 
way  in  here  !  I  must  to  the  rescue,  but  his 
coming  makes  right  for  me  to  go.  An- 
gelique, Angelique,  don't !  Heigho,  Pierre  ! 
I'm  glad  you're  back  !  " 

But  if  he  heard  this  welcome  he  did  not 
heed  it,  and  Margot  stood  amazed  at  the 
ridiculous  scene  upon  which  she  had  en- 
tered. 

There  was  Angelique,  still  arrayed  in  her 
own  flower-bedecked  bonnet  and  her  mistress' 
India  shawl,  being  whirled  about  the  big 
kitchen  in  a  crazy  sort  of  waltz  which  seemed 
to  suit  the  son's  excited  mood.  Her  bonnet 
sat  rakishly  on  one  side  and  the  rich  shawl 
dragged    over    the    floor,   which,   fortunately, 

241 


242       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

was  too  clean  to  harm  it  ;  but  amidst  her  en- 
forced exercises,  the  mother  continued  to  aim 
those  resounding  blows  at  her  son's  great 
ears.  Sometimes  they  hit  the  mark,  but  at 
others  fell  harmlessly  upon  his  broad  shoul- 
ders. In  any  case,  they  seemed  not  to  disturb 
him  but  rather  to  add  to  the  homelikeness  of 
his  return. 

At  length,  however,  he  released  his  irate 
parent  and  held  out  his  hand  to  Margot. 

"  Done  the  old  lady  heap  of  good.  How's 
things?  How's  the  menagerie?  and  the 
master?  " 

"Hey?  Where's  the  manners  I've  always 
taught  you  ?  Askin'  for  the  master  last  when 
'tis  he  is  always  first.  Yes.  Yes,  indeed. 
But,  Pierre,  'twas  nigh  no  master  at  all  you 
came  home  to.  He's  been  at  death's  door  for 
weeks.     Even  yet " 

Then  Angelique  turned  and  saw  Margot, 
whose  presence  she  had  not  before  observed. 
But  she  rallied  instantly,  turning  her  sentence 
into  a  brisk  command  : 


COMING  AND  GOING  243 

"  Even  yet,  the  churnin'  not  done  and  it 
goin'  on  to  measure  nine  o'clock.  Get  to  the 
dasher,  lad,  and  tie  this  big  apron  round 
your  neck.  Then  change  that  dirt}7  shirt. 
That  a  child  of  mine  should  wear  such 
filthy  things.  Pouf!  you  were  always  the 
torment ;  that  is  so." 

"  Just  the  same,  Angelique,  dear,  your  eyes 
are  shining  like  stars,  and  you  are  happier  than 
you  have  been  a  single  minute  since  that  bad 
boy  of  yours  paddled  away  in  the  night.  If 
he's  to  churn  I'm  to  sit  beside  him  and  hear 
all  his  long  story  first.  Come  on,  Pierre ! 
Oh  !  how  good  it  is  to  have  you  back !  " 

It  was,  also,  most  delightful  to  the  mother, 
even  though  her  happiness  expressed  itself  in 
a  peculiar  way,  by  grumbling  and  scolding  as 
she  had  not  done  once  since  real  trouble 
fell  upon  that  home,  with  the  illness  of  its 
master. 

The  churn  stood  outside  the  kitchen  door, 
for  Angelique  would  allow  no  chance  of  spilled 
cream    on    her   scoured    boards ;    so    Margot 


244       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

settled  herself  on  the  door-step  and  listened 
while  the  wanderer  gave  her  a  long  and 
detailed  account  of  his  journey.  Meanwhile, 
and  at  every  few  minutes,  his  mother  would 
step  to  his  side,  take  the  dasher  from  his 
hand  and  force  a  bit  of  food  within  it.  He 
devoured  this  greedily,  though  he  made  no 
comment,  and  resumed  his  churning  as  soon 
as  the  tid-bit  was  consumed.  Through  all, 
Angelique's  face  was  beaming  and  her  lips 
fretting,  till  Margot  laughed  aloud. 

"  Oh  !  Angelique  Ricord  !  Of  all  the  odd 
people  you  are  the  oddest !  " 

"So?  Well,  then.  How  many  odd  people 
have  you  seen,  my  child  that  you  should  be  so 
fine  a  judge?  So  that  evil-come  departed  to 
his  own,  he  did  ?  May  his  shadow  never 
darken  this  door  again !  'Twas  all  along  of 
him  the  trouble  came." 

"  No,  Angelique,  you  forget.  It  must  have 
been  the  broken  glass  !  How  could  it  possibly 
have  been  anything  else  ?  Never  mind,  sweet- 
heart ;  when  I  come  home  from  my  long  jour- 


COMING  AND  GOING  245 

ney  I  will  bring  you  a  new  one,  big  and  clear, 
and  that  has  the  power  to  make  even  plain 
folks  look  lovely.  If  my  uncle  will  let  me. 
Dear,  but  I  do  wish  you  had  a  bit,  this  minute, 
to  see  how  silly  you  look  with  that  big  bonnet 
on  !  " 

Angelique's  hand  flew  to  her  head  in  comic 
dismay.  She  had  carefully  removed  and 
refolded  the  beautiful  shawl,  but  had  quite 
forgotten  her  other  adornment,  which  she 
now  tore  off  in  a  haste  that  threatened  dam- 
age to  the  precious  possession. 

"  Pierre,  bid  her  be  careful.  That  is  your 
wife's  bonnet  !  " 

Even  the  housekeeper  had  to  smile  at  this 
and  listen  patiently  while  Margot  made  much 
of  the  incident.  Indeed,  she  would  have  will- 
ingly been  laughed  at  indefinitely,  if  thus  she 
could  herself  hear  these  young  voices  gay  with 
the  old-time  unconcern. 

"  And  Adrian  was  good  to  the  poor,  wild 
things.  Well,  I  have  hopes  of  Adrian.  He 
didn't  have  the  right  sort  of  rearing  to  know 


246       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

how  the  forest  people  feel,  but  he  learned  fast. 
I'm  thankful,  thankful,  Pierre  Ricord,  that 
you  had  to  lose  those  fine  antlers.  If  you'd 
sold  them  and  made  a  lot  of  money  by  it,  you 
would  have  forgotten  that  the  moose  could 
suffer  and  have  killed  many  more.  As  it  is, 
better  one  should  die  than  many.  And 
Pierre,  I'm  going  away  myself.  Now  that 
you've  come  home,  I'm  going  at  once.  Old 
Joseph  and  I.  Clear  to  that  far  away  New 
York  where  Adrian  has  gone,  and  to  many 
other  places,  too." 

Pierre  dropped  the  dasher  with  such  force 
that  the  "  half-brought  "  butter,  which  Angel- 
ique  was  opening  the  churn  to  "  scrape  down 
together,"  splashed  out  over  the  step,  Mar- 
got's  lap,  and  the  ground. 

Angelique  was  too  indignant  to  speak,  but 
Margot  cried  : 

"  Oh  !  Pierre  !  How  careless  and  wasteful. 
We've  none  too  much  butter,  anyway." 

The  lad  still  stared,  open-mouthed.  After 
a  minute  he  asked  : 


COMING  AND  GOING  247 

"  What's  that  you  said?  About  that  New 
York?" 

"I'm  going  to  New  York.  I'm  going  in 
my  uncle's  place,  to  attend  to  my  uncle's 
business.  Old  Joe  is  to  go  with  me  to  take 
care  of  me — or  I  of  him — and  you  are  to  stay 
here  with  the  master  and  your  mother.  You 
may  bring  King  Madoc  over  if  you  wish ; 
and,  by  the  way,  how  did  you  get  here,  if  you 
have  lost  your  own  canoe?  " 

"  Helped  myself  to  one  of  Joe's.  Helped 
myself  to  a  breakfast,  too.  Joe's  stocked  up 
for  winter,  already.  But,  I  say,  Margot. 
He's  no  use  in  a  big  city.  Better  take  me. 
I  was  goin'  anyway,  only  after  that — well, 
that  grave,  I  made  up  my  mind  I'd  just  step 
back  here  a  spell  and  take  a  fresh  start.  I'm 
ready,  any  minute,  and  Joe  hates  it,     Hey?' 

"  I  wouldn't  trust  myself  with  you  a  dozen 
miles.  You're  too  foolish  and  fickle.  Joe  is 
steady  and  faithful.  It's  settled.  I  think, 
Angelique,  that  we  can  start  to-morrow. 
Don't  you?" 


248       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Angelique  sighed.  All  her  happiness  was 
once  more  overclouded.  Why  couldn't  well 
enough  be  let  alone  ?  However,  she  answered 
nothing.  She  had  sometimes  ventured  to 
grumble  even  at  the  master  but  she  had  never 
questioned  his  decisions.  If  it  was  by  his  will 
that  her  inexperienced  darling  was  to  face 
the  dangers  of  an  unknown  world,  with  no- 
body but  a  glum  old  Indian  to  serve  her,  of 
course,  there  was  nothing  for  it  but  submission. 

At  daybreak  the  next  morning,  Margot 
stood  beside  her  uncle's  bed,  clasping  his  thin 
hands  in  parting.  His  eyes  were  sad  and 
anxious,  but  hers  were  bright  and  full  of  con- 
fidence. He  had  given  his  last  advice  ;  she 
had  ample  money  for  all  possible  needs,  with 
directions  upon  whom  to  call  for  more,  should 
anything  arise  for  which  they  had  not  pre- 
pared, and  she  had,  also,  her  route  marked 
out  on  paper,  with  innumerable  suggestions 
about  this  or  that  stop  ;  and  now,  there  was 
nothing  more  to  do  or  say  but  add  his  bless- 
ing and  farewell. 


HIS  BIRCH   CANOE    PULLED   STEADILY   AWAY 


COMING  AND  GOING  2±9 

"  Good-bye,  Margot.  Into  God's  hands  I 
give  you." 

"  The  same  Hands,  uncle,  which  have  cared 
for  me  always.  I  shall  come  back  and  bring 
our  loved  one  with  me.  Get  well  fast,  to 
make  him  happy  when  he  comes." 

A  hasty  kiss  to  Angelique  who  was  sobbing 
herself  ill,  a  clasp  of  Pierre's  hand,  and  she 
was  gone.  Joe's  birch  was  pulling  steadily 
away  from  the  Island  of  Peace  into  that  out- 
side world  of  strife  and  contention,  of  which 
the  young  voyager  was  so  wholly  ignorant. 

Her  eyes  were  wet  and  her  heart  ached, 
with  that  same  sort  of  physical  distress  which 
had  assailed  her  when  Adrian  went  away,  but 
now  much  sharper.  Yet  her  lips  still  smiled 
and  Joseph,  furtively  regarding  her,  was 
satisfied.     She  would  give  him  no  trouble. 

A  few  miles'  journey  and  she  had  entered 
what  seemed  like  fairyland.  She  had  then 
no  time  for  looking  back  or  remembering. 
The  towns  were  wonderful,  and  the  first  time 
that  she  saw  a  young  girl  of  her  own  age  she 


250       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

stared  until  the  stranger  made  a  grimace 
toward  her.  This  perplexed  and  annoyed 
her,  but  taught  her  a  lesson  :  she  stared  no 
more. 

Yet  she  saw  everything ;  and  in  that  little 
book  her  uncle  had  provided  for  this  object 
made  notes  of  her  impressions,  to  be  discussed 
with  him  upon  her  return.  Her  first  ride  be- 
hind horses  made  her  laugh  aloud.  They 
were  so  beautiful  and  graceful  and  their 
strength  so  appealed  to  her  animal-loving 
heart.  The  ricketty  buck-board,  which  was 
their  first  vehicle,  seemed  luxurious,  though 
after  a  few  miles'  jogging  over  a  corduroy-road 
she  confided  to  Joseph  that  she  preferred  a 
canoe. 

"  Umm.     No  shakeum  up." 

A  stage  drawn  by  four  steeds,  rather  the 
worse  for  wear,  yet  with  the  accompaniment 
of  fellow-travelers  and  a  musical  horn, 
brought  memories  of  Cinderella  and  other 
childish  heroines,  and  made  the  old  tales  real ; 
but  when  they  reached  the  railway  and  stepped 


CO  MI  KG  AND  GOING  251 

into  a  car  her  interest  grew  painfully  intense. 
When  the  conductor  paused  to  take  their 
tickets,  obligingly  procured  for  this  odd  pair 
by  the  stage-driver,  Margot  immediately  re- 
quested to  be  put  upon  the  engine. 

"  The  engine  !     Well,  upon  my  word  !  ' 

"  Yes.  I've  never  seen  one,  except  the  one 
in  front  of  this  car-train.  I  know  how  they 
operate  but  I  would  so  dearly  like  to  see 
them  working  close  at  hand.     Can't  I  ?  '' 

The  brass-buttoned  official  made  no  reply, 
save  to  purse  his  lips  and  utter  another  low 
whistle  ;  but  he  gave  Margot  and  Joe  a  critical 
survey  and  reflected  that  of  all  the  passengers 
he  had  ever  carried  these  were  the  most 
unique.  There  was  something  in  the  girl's 
intelligent  face  that  was  hard  to  deny,  and  for 
all  his  silence,  perhaps  because  of  it,  a  certain 
dignity  about  the  Indian  that  won  favor  even 
for  him. 

It  was  a  way-train  on  a  branch  road  :  one 
of  the  connecting  links  between  the  wilder- 
ness and  the  land  of  the  "through  express" 


252       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

else  it  might  not  have  happened  that,  after  so 
long  a  time  had  elapsed  that  Margot  felt  hei 
request  was  indeed  refused,  the  conductor  re- 
turned and  whispered  in  her  ear.  It  was  a 
concession,  not  to  be  made  general;  but  she 
was  informed  : 

"  I've  spoken  to  the  engineer  and  he  says 
he  doesn't  mind.  Not  if  you'll  ask  no  ques- 
tions and  won't  bother." 

"  I'll  not.     And  I  thank  you  very  much." 

"  Hmm.  She  may  be  a  backwoods  girl  but 
she  can  give  a  lesson  in  manners  to  many  a 
city  miss,"  thought  the  obliging  guide,  as  he 
led  Margot  forward  through  the  few  cars  to- 
ward the  front ;  and,  at  the  next  stop,  helped 
her  to  the  ground  and  up  again  into  the  little 
shut-in  space  beside  the  grimy  driver  of  this 
wonderful  iron  horse. 

Margot  never  forgot  that  ride  ;  nor  the  man 
at  the  lever  his  unknown  passenger.  She  had 
left  her  obnoxious  bonnet  upon  the  seat  be- 
side old  Joseph  and  her  hair  had  broken 
from  its  unaccustomed   braid  to  its  habitual 


COMING  AND  GOING  253 

freedom,  so  that  it  enveloped  her  and  streamed 
behind  her  like  a  cloud.  Her  trim  short 
skirt,  her  heelless  shoes,  her  absence  of 
"  flummery  "  aroused  the  engineer's  admira- 
tion and  he  volunteered,  what  he  had  pre- 
viously declined  to  give,  all  possible  informa- 
tion concerning  his  beloved  locomotive.  He 
even  allowed  her,  for  one  brief  moment  to  put 
her  own  hand  on  the  lever  and  feel  the  thrill 
of  that  resistless  plunging  forward  into  space. 

It  was  only  when  they  stopped  again  and 
she  knew  she  ought  to  go  back  to  Joe  that  she 
ventured  to  speak. 

"  I  never  enjoyed  anything  so  much  in  my 
life,  nor  learned  so  much  in  so  short  a  time. 
I  wish — I  wish — have  you  a  sister,  or  a  little 
girl  ?      Or  anybody  you  love  very  much  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes.  I've  got  the  nicest  little  girl 
in  the  United  States.  She's  three  years  old 
and  as  cute  as  they  make  'em." 

"  You've  given  me  pleasure,  I'd  like  to  give 
her  as  much.  May  she  have  this  from  me,  to 
get — whatever  a  town  child  would  like?  " 


254       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Sure,  miss,  it's  too  much  ;  but — — " 


Margot  was  gone,  and  on  the  engineer's 
palm  shone  a  bright  gold  coin.  All  Mr.  Dut- 
ton's  money  was  in  specie  and  he  had  given 
Margot  a  liberal  amount  of  "  spending 
money  ':  for  her  trip.  Money  being  a  thing 
she  knew  as  little  about  as  she  did  traveling  he 
had  determined  to  let  her  learn  its  value  by 
experience  ;  yet  even  he  might  have  been  a 
trifle  shocked  by  the  liberality  of  this,  her 
first  "  tip."  However,  she  saw  only  the 
gratitude  that  leaped  into  the  trainman's  eyes 
and  was  glad  that  she  had  had  the  piece 
handy  in  her  pocket. 

Yet,  delightful  as  the  novelty  of  their  long 
journey  was,  Margot  found  it  wearisome  ;  and 
the  nearer  she  reached  its  end  the  more  a  new 
and  uncomfortable  anxiety  beset  her.  Joseph 
said  nothing.  He  had  never  complained  nor 
admired,  and  as  far  as  sociability  was  concerned 
he  might  have  been  one  of  those  other,  wooden 
Indians  which  began  to  appear  on  the  streets 
of  the  towns,  before  shops  where  tobacco  was 


COMING  AND  GOING  255 

sold.  She  looked  at  Joe,  sometimes,  wonder- 
ing if  he  saw  these  effigies  of  his  race  and 
what  were  his  opinions  on  the  matter.  But 
his  face  remained  stolid  and  she  decided  that 
he  was  indifferent  to  all  such  slight  affairs. 

It  was  when  they  first  stepped  out  of  their 
train  into  the  great  station  at  New  York,  that 
the  full  realization  of  her  undertaking  came 
to  her.  Even  Joseph's  face  now  showed  some 
emotion,  of  dismay  and  bewilderment,  and 
her  own  courage  died  in  that  babel  of  noises 
and  the  crowding  rush  of  people,  every- 
where. 

"  Why,  what  has  happened  ?  Surely,  there 
must  have  been  some  fearful  accident,  or  they 
would  not  all  hurry  so." 

Then  she  saw  among  the  crowd,  men  in  a 
uniform  she  recognized,  from  the  description 
her  uncle  had  once  given  her,  and  remembered 
that  he  had  then  told  her  if  ever  she  were  in 
a  strange  place  and  needed  help  it  was  to 
such  officers  she  should  apply.  When  this 
advice  had  been  given,  a  year  before,  neither 


256       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

had  imagined  it  would  so  soon  be  useful. 
But  it  was  with  infinite  relief  that  she  now 
clutched  Joseph's  hand  and  impelled  him  to 
go  with  her.  Gaining  the  side  of  an  officer, 
she  caught  his  arm  and  demanded  : 

"  What  is  the  matter?  Where  are  all  the 
people  hurrying  to  ?  " 

"  Why — nowhere,  in  special.     Why  ?  " 

The  policeman  had,  also,  been  hastening 
forward  as  if  his  life  depended  upon  his 
reaching  a  certain  spot  at  a  certain  time,  but 
now  he  slackened  his  speed  and  walked  quietly 
along  beside  this  odd  girl,  at  the  same  mo- 
ment keeping  his  eye  upon  a  distant  group 
of  gamins  bent  on  mischief.  It  had  been  to- 
ward them  he  had  made  such  speed,  but  a 
brother  officer  appearing  near  them  he  turned 
his  attention  upon  Margot  and  her  escort. 

"  Oh !  I  thought  there  was  something 
wrong.  Is  it  always  such  a  racketty  place? 
This  New  York?" 

"  Always.  Why,  'tis  quiet  here  to-day, 
compared  to  some." 


COMING  AND  GOING  257 

"  Are  you  an  officer  of  the  law  ?  Is  it  your 
business  to  take  care  of  strangers?  " 

"  Why,  yes.     I  suppose  so." 

"  Can  I  trust  you  ?  Somebody  must  direct 
me.  I  was  to  take  a  cab  and  go — to  this  ad- 
dress. But  I  don't  know  what  a  cab  is  from  any 
other  sort  of  wagon.     Will  you  help  me  ?  ' 

"  Certainly.     Give  me  the  card." 

Margot  handed  him  the  paper  with  the  ad- 
dress of  the  old  friend  with  whom  her  uncle 
wished  her  to  stop  while  she  was  in  the  city  ; 
but  the  moment  the  policeman  looked  at  it 
his  face  fell. 

"  Why.  there  isn't  any  such  place,  now. 
All  them  houses  has  been  torn  down  to  put 
up  a  sky-scraper.  They  were  torn  down  six 
months  ago." 

"Why,  how  can  that  be?  This  lady  has 
lived  in  that  house  all  her  life,  my  uncle  said. 
She  is  a  widow,  very  gentle  and  refined  ;  she 
was  quite  poor  ;  though  once  she  had  plenty 
of  money.  She  took  boarders,  to  keep  a 
roof  over  her  head  ;  and  it  isn't  at  all  likely 


258       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

that  she  would  tear  it  down  and  so  de- 
stroy her  only  income.  You  must  be  mis- 
taken. Won't  you  ask  somebody  else,  who 
knows  more  about  the  city,  please?  " 

The  officer  bridled,  and  puffed  out  his 
mighty  chest.  Was  not  he  "  one  of  the 
finest"  ?  as  the  picked  policemen  are  termed. 
If  he  didn't  know  the  streets  of  the  metropolis, 
who  did  ? 

Margot  saw  that  she  had  made  a  serious 
mistake.  Her  head  turned  giddy,  the  crowd 
seemed  to  surge  and  close  about  her,  and  with 
a  sense  of  utter  failure  and  homesickness  she 
fainted  away. 


CHAPTER  XXI 

IN    THE    GREAT    RAILWAY    STATION 

"  There,  dear,  you  are  better.  Drink 
this." 

Margot  opened  her  eyes  in  the  big  waiting- 
room  for  women  at  the  great  station.  A  kind- 
faced  woman  in  a  white  cap  and  apron  was 
bending  over  her  and  holding  a  cup  of 
bouillon  to  her  lips,  which  obediently  opened 
and  received  the  draught  with  grateful  re- 
freshment. 

"  Thank  you.  That  is  good.  Where  am 
I?     Who  are  you?" 

The  attendant  explained  :  and  added,  with 
intent  to  comfort : 

"  You  are  all  right.  You  will  be  cared  for. 
It  was  the  long  going  without  food  and  the 
sudden  confusion  of  arrival.  The  Indian 
says  you  have  not  eaten  in  a  long  time.     He 

259 


260       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

is  here,  I  could  not  keep  him  out.  Is — is  he 
safe?" 

The  hot,  strong  soup,  and  the  comforting 
presence  restored  the  girl  so  far  that  she  could 
laugh. 

"Joe  safe?  Our  own  dear  old  Joseph 
Wills?  Why,  madam,  he  is  the  very  best 
guide  in  all  the  state  of  Maine.  Aren't  you, 
Joe?  And  my  uncle's  most  trusted  friend. 
Else  he  would  not  be  here  with  me.  What 
happened  to  me  that  things  got  so  queer?'1 

"You  fainted.     That's  all." 

"I?  Why,  I  never  did  such  a  thing  in  my 
life  before." 

Joe  drew  near.  His  face  seemed  still  im- 
passive but  there  was  a  look  of  profound  con- 
cern in  his  small,  black  eyes. 

"  Wouldn'  eat.  Get  sick.  Joe  said.  Joe 
hungry,  too." 

Margot  sat  up,  instantly,  smitten  with  re- 
morse. If  this  uncomplaining  friend  ad- 
mitted hunger  she  must  have  been  remiss,  in- 
deed. 


IN  THE  GREAT  RAILWAY  STATION  261 

"  Oh,  dear  madam  !  Please  get  him  some- 
thing to  eat,  or  show  him  where  to  get  it  for 
himself.  This  last  part  of  the  road,  or  jour- 
ney, was  so  long.  The  train  didn't  stop  any- 
where, hardly,  and  I  saw  none  of  the  eating 
places  I  had  seen  on  the  other  trains.  We 
were  late,  too,  in  starting,  and  had  no  break- 
fast. My  own  head  whirls  yet,  and  poor  Joe 
must  be  famished.  I  have  money,  plenty,  to 
pa}^  for  everything." 

The  station  matron  called  an  attendant  and 
put  Joe  in  his  charge.  She,  also,  ordered  a 
tray  of  food  brought  from  the  restaurant  and 
made  Margot  eat.  Indeed,  she  was  now  quite 
ready  to  do  this  and  heartily  ;  and  her  appe- 
tite appeased,  she  told  the  motherly  woman 
as  much  of  her  story  as  was  necessary  ;  asking 
her  advice  about  a  stopping  place,  and  if  she, 
too,  thought  it  true  that  the  widow's  house 
had  been  demolished. 

"  Oh,  yes,  miss.  I  know  that  myself,  for  I 
live  not  so  far  from  that  street.  It  is,  or  was, 
an  old-fashioned  one,  and  full  of  big  houses 


262       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

that  had  once  been  grand  but  had  run  down. 
The  property  was  valuable,  though,  and  no 
doubt  the  widow  bettered  herself  by  selling. 
More  than  that,  if  she  is  still  in  the  city,  her 
name  should  be  in  the  directory.  I'll  look  it 
up  and  if  I  find  it,  telephone  her.  After  we 
do  that  will  be  time  enough  to  look  for  some 
other  place,  if  she  is  not  to  be  found." 

Margot  did  not  understand  all  this,  and 
wondered  what  this  quiet,  orderly  person  had 
to  do  with  the  starting  of  trains,  which  she 
could  hear  continually  moving  out  and  in  the 
monster  building,  even  though  she  could  not 
see  them  from  this  inner  room.  But  this 
wonder  was  soon  lost  in  a  fresh  surprise  as, 
having  consulted  a  big  book  which  was 
chained  to  a  desk  in  one  corner,  the  matron 
came  forward,  smiling. 

"I've  found  the  name,  miss.  Spelled  just 
as  you  gave  it  to  me.  The  number  is  away 
up  town,  in  Harlem.  But  I'll  ring  her  up 
and  see." 

Again  the  matron  crossed  the  room,  toward 


IN  THE  GREAT  RAILWAY  STATION  263 

a  queer  looking  arrangement  on  the  wall  ; 
but,  a  new  train  arriving,  the  room  so  filled 
with  women  and  children  that  she  had  no 
more  leisure  to  attend  to  Margot.  However, 
she  managed  to  tell  her  : 

"  Don't  worry.  I'll  be  free  soon  again,  for 
a  minute.  And  I'll  tell  that  Indian  to  sit 
just  outside  the  door,  if  you  wish.  You  can 
sit  there  with  him,  too,  if  it  makes  you  feel 
more  at  home.  You're  all  right  now,  and 
will  not  faint  again." 

"  No,  indeed.  I  never  did  before  nor  shall 
again,  I  hope." 

Yet  Margot  was  very  thankful  when  she 
and  Joe  were  once  more  side  by  side,  and  now 
amused  herself  in  studying  the  crowds  about 
her. 

"  Oh  !  Joe,  there  are  more  '  types '  here  in  a 
minute  than  one  could  see  at  home  in  years. 
Look.  That's  a  Swede.  I  know  by  the  shape 
of  his  face,  and  his  coloring.  Though  I  never 
saw  a  live  Swede  before." 

"  Wonder  if  she  ever  saw  a  dead  one  !  "  said 


264       A  DAUGHTER    OF  THE  FOREST 

a  voice  in  passing,  and  Margot  knew  she  had 
been  ridiculed,  yet  not  why.  Then,  too,  she 
saw  that  many  glances  were  turned  upon  the 
bench  where  she  and  Joe  sat,  apart  from  the 
crowd  and,  for  almost  the  first  time,  became 
conscious  that  in  some  way  she  looked  not  as 
other  people.  However,  she  was  neither  over- 
sensitive nor  given  to  self-contemplation  and 
she  had  perfect  faith  in  her  uncle's  judgment. 
He  had  lived  in  this  great  city,  he  knew  what 
was  correct.  He  had  told  her  to  ask  the 
widow  to  supply  her  with  anything  that  was 
needed.  She  had  nothing  to  do  now  but  wait 
till  the  widow  was  found,  and  then  she  could 
go  on  about  the  more  important  business 
which  had  brought  her  hither. 

As  she  remembered  that  business,  her  im- 
patience rose.  She  was  now,  she  must  be,  not 
only  within  a  few  miles  of  her  unknown 
father,  but  of  the  man  who  had  wronged  him, 
whom  she  was  to  compel  to  right  that  wrong. 
She  sprang  to  her  feet.  The  crowd  that  had 
filled  the  waiting-room  was  again   thinning, 


AV  THE  GREAT  RAILWAY  STATION  265 

for  a  time,  and   the  matron  should  be  free. 
Would  she  never  come  ? 

"  Then  I'll  go  to  her  !  Stay  right  here,  Joe. 
Don't  leave  this  place  a  minute  now  till  I  get 
back.  Then  we'll  not  lose  each  other.  I'll 
come  for  you  as  soon  as  I  can." 

Joe  grunted  his  assent  and  closed  his  eyes. 
He,  too,  was  conscious  of  staring  eyes  and 
indignant  at  them.  Had  nobody  ever  seen  an 
Indian  before?  Were  not  these  clothes  that 
he  was  wearing  the  Master's  gift  and  of  the 
same  sort  all  these  other  men  wore?  Let 
them  gaze,  if  that  suited  the  simple  creatures. 
As  for  him  he  was  comfortable.  The  bench 
was  no  harder  than  the  ground.  Not  much 
harder.     He  would  sleep.     He  did. 

But  Margot  found  the  matron  doing  a 
strange  thing.  She  had  a  long  pipe  running 
from  a  box  on  the  wall,  and  sometimes  she 
was  calling  into  it,  or  a  hole  beside  it,  in  the 
most  absurd  way  :  "  Hello  !  Hello,  Central  !  " 
or  else  she  was  holding  the  tube  to  her  ear  and 
listening. 


266       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

11  What  is  it  ?     What  are  you  doing  ?  " 

"  The  telephone.  I'm  ringing  up  your 
friend.     I'll  tell  you  what  I  hear,  soon." 

Even  the  matron  rather  objected  to  having 
this  oddly-dressed,  inquisitive  girl  continually 
at  hand,  asking  questions.  She  was  busy  and 
tired,  and  Margot  understood  that  she  was 
dismissed  to  her  bench  and  Joe. 

There  she  settled  herself  to  think.  It  was 
time  she  did.  If  this  friendly  widow,  whom 
her  family  had  always  known,  could  not  be 
found,  where  should  she  go  ?  To  some 
hotel  she  supposed,  and  wondered  which 
and  where. 

She  was  still  deep  in  her  musings  when  the 
matron  touched  her  arm. 

"  I  got  an  answer.  The  number  is  all 
right.  It  is  the  lady's  home  when  she  is  in 
town,  but  she  has  been  in  the  country  all 
summer.  The  boarding-house — it's  that — is 
closed  except  for  the  janitor,  and  he  doesn't 
know  where  she  has  gone.     That's  all." 

It  might  be  "  all,"  but  it  made  the  wood- 


IN  THE  GREAT  RAILWAY  STATION  267 

lander's  heart  sink.  Then  she  looked  up  and 
saw  a  vaguely  familiar  profile,  yet  she  knew 
nobody,  had  seen  nobody  at  home,  and  not 
even  on  her  journey,  whom  she  could  remem- 
ber to  have  been  just  like  this. 

It  was  the  face  of  a  young  man,  who  was 
dressed  like  all  these  other  city  men  about 
her,  though  with  a  something  different  and 
finer  in  the  fit  and  finish  of  the  light  gray 
suit  he  wore.  A  slight  moustache  darkened 
his  upper  lip,  and  he  fingered  this  lovingly, 
as  one  might  a  new  possession.  A  gray  haired 
lady  leaned  lightly  on  his  arm  and  he  carried 
her  wraps  upon  his*  other.  Suddenly  she 
spoke  to  him,  as  they  moved  outward  toward 
a  suburban  train,  and  he  smiled  down  upon 
her.  It  was  the  smile  that  revealed  him — 
Adrian. 

"  Why,  how  could  I  fail  to  know  him ! 
Adrian — then  all  is  right  !  " 

She  forgot  Joe  and  all  else  save  that  retreat- 
ing figure  which  she  must  overtake,  and 
dashed    across    the    room    regardless   of    the 


268       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

people  who  hindered  her  progress,  and  among 
whom  she  darted  with  lightning-like  speed. 

"  Adrian  !     Adrian  !     Adrian  !  " 

Their  train  was  late,  the  lady  had  been 
helped  to  the  last  platform,  and  the  young 
man  sprang  after  her  just  as  it  was  moving 
out.  He  heard  his  own  name  and  turned, 
wondering  and  startled,  to  see  a  light-haired 
girl  fiercely  protesting  against  a  blue-coated 
official,  who  firmly  barred  her  passage  beyond 
the  stile  into  the  dangerous  region  of  a  hun- 
dred moving  cars. 

"  Your  ticket,  miss  !  Your  train — which 
is  it?" 

"  Ticket !  It's  Adrian  I  want.  Adrian, 
who  has  just  gone  on  that  car — oh,  so  fast,  so 
fast !     Adrian  !  " 

"Too  bad,  miss,  and  too  late.  Sorry.  The 
next  train  out  will  not  be  many  minutes. 
Likely  your  friends  will  wait  for  }rou  at  your 
station.     Which  is  it?  " 

"My  friends?  Oh!  I  don't  know.  I 
guess — I  guess  I  haven't  any." 


AV  THE  GREAT  RAILWAY  STATION  269 

She  turned  away  slowly,  her  heart  too 
heavy  for  further  speech,  even  had  there  been 
any  speech  possible  ;  and  there  was  Joe,  the 
faithful  and  silent,  laying  his  hand  on  her 
shoulder  and  guiding  her  back  to  their  own 
bench. 

"  One  girl  runs  away,  get  lost.  Joe  go 
home  no  more." 

"  Poor  Joe,  dear  Joe.  I  had  no  idea  of 
running  away.  But  I  saw  somebody,  that 
boy  who  was  at  the  island  this  summer,  and  I 
tried  to  make  him  see  me.  Too  late,  as  the 
man  said.  He  has  gone,  and  now  we,  too, 
must  go  somewhere.  I'll  ask  that  nice 
woman.  She'll  tell  us,  I  think,"  and  she 
again  sought  the  matron. 

"  Yes.  I  do  know  a  good  place  for  you, 
if — they'll  take  you  in.  Meaning  no  harm 
miss,  but  you  see,  you  aren't  fixed  just  the 
same,  and  the  Indian " 

"  Is  it  a  question  of  clothes?  It's  not  the 
clothing  makes  the  character,  my  uncle  says." 

"  No,  miss,   I   suppose  not.     All  the  same 


270       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

they  go  a  mighty  long  way  toward  making 
friends,  leastways  in  this  big  city.  And 
Indians " 

"  Joe  Wills  is  just  as  noble  and  as  honest 
as  any  white  man  ever  lived  !  " 

"  Maybe  so.  Indeed,  I'm  not  denying  it, 
but  Indians  are  Indians,  and  some  landladies 
might  think  of  tomahawks." 

Margot's  laugh  rang  out  and  the  other 
smiled  in  sympathy. 

"  Joe,  Joe !  Would  you  scalp  any- 
body?" 

Then,  indeed,  was  the  red  man's  impassivity 
broken  by  a  grin,  which  happily  relieved  the 
situation,  fast  becoming  tragic. 

"  Well,  I'm  not  wise  in  city  ways  but  I 
know  that  I  can  find  a  safe  shelter  some- 
where. I'm  going  to  ask  that  policeman, 
yonder,  to  find  us  a  place." 

"  That's  sensible,  and  I'll  talk  with  him  my- 
self. If  he  isn't  on  duty  likely  he'll  take  you 
to  my  friend's  himself.  By  the  way,  who  was 
that    you    ran    after    and    called  to  so  loud  ? 


IN  THE  GREAT  RAILWAY  STATION  271 

You  shouldn't  do  that   in  a  big,  strange  sta- 
tion, you  know." 

"  I  suppose  not  ;  yet  I  needed  him  so,  and 
it  was  Adrian,  who's  been  at  my  own  home 
all  summer.  If  he'd  heard,  or  seen  me,  he 
would  have  taken  all  the  care,  because  this  is 
where  he's  always  lived.  The  same  familiar 
spot  that — that  dear  Peace  Island  is  to  Joe 
and  me,"  she  said,  with  a  catch  in  her  voice 
and  laying  her  hand  affectionately  upon  his 
sleeve. 

"  Adrian  ?     A  Mr.  Adrian  ?  " 

"  Why,  no.  He  is  a  Wadislaw.  His 
father's  name  is  Malachi  Wadislaw,  and  my 
business  here  is  with  him." 

"  Wadislaw,  the  banker  ?  Why  then,  of 
course,  it's  all  right.  Officer,  please  call  a  cab 
and  take  them  to  Number  —  W7est  Twenty- 
fifth  Street.  That's  my  friend's  ;  and  say  I 
sent  them." 


CHAPTER  XXII 

NUMBER     526 

"  Mother,  that  was  Margot !  " 

Mrs.  Wadislaw  heard  but  did  not  compre- 
hend what  Adrian  was  saying.  She  was 
flushed  and  panting  from  her  rush  after  the 
retreating  train  and  her  nerves  were  excited. 

"  I'll  never,  never — run — for  any  car — in 
this  world,  again ! "  she  gasped.  "  It's 
dangerous,  and — so — so  uncomfortable.  My 
heart " 

"  Poor  mother !  I'm  sorry.  I'll  get  you 
some  water." 

The  young  fellow  was  excited  himself  but 
on  quite  a  different  matter  ;  yet  he  knew  that 
nothing  could  be  done  for  the  present  and  that 
the  disturbed  lady  would  take  no  interest  in 
anything  until  her  own  agitation  was  calmed. 

"  No,    no.     Don't    you    leave    me.     Touch 

272 


NUMBER  526  273 

the  button.     Let  the  porter  attend — I — I  am 
so  shaken.     I'll  never,  never  do  it  again." 

He  obeyed  her  and  sat  down  in  the  easy- 
chair  beside  her.  She  had  been  compelled  to 
run  else  they  had  been  left  behind,  and  she 
had  been  hurried  from  the  platform  of  that 
last  car  through  the  long  train  to  their  own 
reserved  seats  in  the  drawing-room  car. 

"  It  was  foolish  ;  doubly  so,  because  trains 
are  so  frequent.  There  was  no  need  for  haste, 
anyway,  was  there  ?  " 

"  Only  this  need  :  that  when  anybody  ac- 
cepts a  dinner  invitation  one  should  never 
keep  a  hostess  waiting." 

"  But  when  the  hostess  is  only  your  own 
sister,  and  daughter  ?  " 

"  One  should  be  most  punctilious  in  one's 
own  family.  Oh,  yes.  It  is  no  laughing 
matter,  my  son,  and  since  you  have  come 
home  and  regained  your  common  sense,  you 
must  regard  all  these  seeming  trifles.  Half 
the  disagreements  and  discomforts  of  life  are 
due   to  the  fact  that   even    well-bred   people 


274       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

treat  their  own  households  with  a  rudeness 
they  would  not  dare  show  strangers.  Now 
that  you  have  given  up  your  careless  habits 
I  shall  take  care  to  remind  you  of  all  these 
details,  and  expect  to  see  you  a  finished  so- 
ciety man  within  a  twelvemonth." 

"  No,  indeed  !  " 

"  Adrian  !  How  can  you  trifle  so  ?  Now 
when  you've  so  lately  been  restored  to  me  ?  " 

"  Dearest  mother,  I  am  not  trifling.  I 
should  be,  though,  if  I  meant  to  shine  no- 
where else  than  at  a  fashionable  dinner-table. 
There,  don't   look   worried.     I'll    try  not   to 

disgrace  you,  yet Well,  I've  learned  a 

higher  view  of  life  than  that.  But  can  you 
hear  me  now  ?  That  was  Margot — woodland 
Margot — who  saved  my  life  !  " 

"  Nonsense.     It  couldn't  be." 

"  It  surely  was  ;  and  I'm  going  to  ask  you 
to  excuse  me  from  this  one  visit  so  that  I  can 
go  back  and  find  her." 

"  Find  her?  If  it  were  she,  and  I'm  posi- 
tive you  are  mistaken,  of  course  she  is  not  in 


NUMBER  526  275 

the  city  alone.  Her  uncle  must  be  with  her, 
and  your  sister  will  be  deeply  hurt  if  you  fail 
her  this  first  time.  At  a  dinner,  you  know, 
there  are  a  certain  and  limited  number  of 
guests.  The  failure  of  one  leaves  his  or  her 
partner  in  an  awkward  position.     You  must 

keep    your   engagement,    even    if But, 

Adrian  ?  " 

"Yes,  mother." 

"  You  must  not  exaggerate  your  obligations 
to  those  people.  They  did  for  you  only  what 
anybody  would  do  for  a  man  lost  in  the 
woods.  By  their  own  admission  you  were 
worth  a  great  deal  to  that  farmer.  Else  he 
never  would  have  parted  with  eighty  dollars, 
as  he  did.  I  shall  always  prize  the  gold  piece 
you  brought  me ;  indeed,  I  mean  to  have  it 
set  in  a  pin  and  wear  it.  But  this  Maine 
farmer,  or  lumberman,  or  whatever  he  is,  just 
drop  him  out  of  mind.  His  very  name  is 
objectionable  to  me,  and  you  must  never 
mention  it  before  your  father.  Years  ago 
there  was  a — well,  something  unpleasant  with 


276       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

some  people;  and,  please  oblige  me  by — by 
not  being  disagreeable  now.  After  all  my 
anxiety  while  you  were  gone  and  about  your 

father's  health,  I  think— I  really " 

Adrian  slipped  his  arm  across  the  back  of 
the  lady's  chair  and  smiled  upon  her,  lov- 
ingly. He  was  trying  his  utmost  to  make  up 
to  her  and  all  his  family  for  whatever  they 
had  suffered  because  of  his  former  "  mis- 
deeds." He  had  come  home  full  of  high 
resolves  and  had  had  his  sincerity  im- 
mediately tested  by  his  father's  demanding 
that : 

"  If  you  are  in  earnest,  if  you  intend  to  do 
a  son's  part  by  us,  go  back  into  the  bank  and 
learn  a  good  business.  This  'art'  you  talk 
about,  what  is  it  ?  But  the  shifty  resource  of 
a  lot  of  idle  fellows.  Get  down  to  business. 
Dollars  are  what  count,  in  this  world.  Put 
yourself  in  a  place  where  you  can  make  them, 
and  while  I  am  alive  to  aid  you." 

Adrian's  whole  nature  rebelled  against  this 
command,  yet   he   had  obeyed    it.     And   he 


NUMBER  526  277 

had  inwardly  resolved  that,  outside  the  duties 
of  his  clerkship,  his  time  was  his  own  and 
should  be  devoted  to  his  beloved  painting. 

"  After  all,  some  of  the  world's  finest  pic- 
tures have  been  done  by  those  whose  leisure 
was  scant.  If  it's  in  me  it  will  have  to  come 
out.  Some  time,  in  some  way,  I'll  live  my 
own  life  in  spite  of  all." 

It  had  hurt  him,  too,  a  little  that  his  peo- 
ple so  discouraged  all  history  of  his  wan- 
derings. 

All  of  his  sisters  were  married  and  well- 
connected,  and  one  of  them  voiced  the  opin- 
ion of  all,  when  she  said  : 

"  Your  running  away,  or  your  behaving  so 
that  you   had   to   be  sent  away,  is  quite  dis- 
grace enough.     That  you   are  back  safe,  and 
.  sensible,  is  all  any  of  us  care  to  know." 

But  because  he  was  forbidden  to  talk  of  his 
forest  experiences  he  dwelt  upon  them  all  the 
more  in  his  own  mind  ;  and  this  afternoon's 
glimpse  of  Margot's  sunny  head  had  awakened 
all    his    former    interest.       Why    was    she  in 


278       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

New  York?  Was  the  "  master  "  with  her? 
He,  of  whom  his  own  mother  spoke  in  such 
ignorant  contempt,  as  a"  farmer,"  a  "  lumber- 
man," vet  who  was  the  most  finished  scholar 
and  gentleman  that  Adrian  had  ever  met. 

"  Well,  I  can't  get  home  till  after  that 
wretched  dinner,  and  I  should  have  to  wait  for 
the  next  train,  anyway,  even  if  the  '  mater ' 
would  let  me  off.  I've  promised  myself  to 
make  her  happy,  dear  little  woman,  if  I  can, 
and  sulking  over  m}T  own  disappointments 
isn't  the  way  to  do  that,"  he  reflected.  So  he 
roused  himself  to  talk  of  other  matters,  and 
naturally  of  the  sister  at  whose  home  they 
were  to  dine. 

"  I  don't  see  what  made  Kate  ever  marry 
a  warden  of  state's  prison.  I  should  think 
life  in  such  a  place  would  be  hateful." 

"  That  shows  how  little  you  know  about  it, 
and  what  a  revelation  this  visit  will  be  to 
you.  Why,  my  dear,  she  has  a  beautiful 
home,  with  horses  and  carriages  at  her  dis- 
posal ;    her    apartments    are    finely  furnished 


NUMBER  526  279 

and  she  has  one  comfort  that  I  have  not,  or 
few  housekeepers  in  fact." 

"  What  is  that?  " 

"  As  many  servants  as  she  requires,  and  at 
no  expense  to  herself.  Servants  who  are  ab- 
solutely obedient,  thoroughly  trained,  and 
never  'giving  notice.'  " 

"  I  do  not  understand." 

"  They  are  the  convicts.  Why,  they  even 
have  an  orchestra  to  play  at  their  enter- 
tainments, also  of  convicts  ;  the  musical  ones 
to  whom  the  playing  is  a  great  reward  and 
treat.     I  believe  they  are  to  play  to-night." 

"  Horror  !  I  hope  not.  I  don't  want  to  be 
served  by  any  poor  fellow  out  of  a  cell." 

"  You'll  not  think  about  that.  Not  after  a 
little.  I  don't  at  all,  now,  though  I  used  to, 
sometimes,  when  they  were  first  in  office.  It's 
odd  that  though  they've  lived  at  Sing  Sing 
for  two  years  you've  not  been  there  yet." 

"  Not  so  odd,  little  mother.  Kate  and  I 
never  get  along  together  very  well.  She's  too 
dictatorial.     Besides,  she  was   always  coming 


280       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

home  and  I  saw  her  there.  I  had  no  hanker- 
ing after  a  prison,  myself.  And  speaking  of 
disgrace,  I  feel  that  her  living  in  such  a  place 
is  worse  than  anything  I  ever  did." 

"  Adrian,  for  a  boy  who  has  ordinary  in- 
telligence you  do  say  the  strangest  things. 
The  office  of  warden  is  an  honorable  one  and 
well  paid." 

The  lad  smiled  and  his  mother  hastily 
added  : 

"  Besides,  it  gives  an  opportunity  for  be- 
friending the  unhappy  prisoners.  Why,  there 
is  a  man " 

She  hesitated,  looked  fixedly  at  her  son  as 
if  considering  her  next  words,  then  concluded, 
rather  lamely  : 

"  But  you'll  see." 

She  opened  her  novel  and  began  to  read  and 
Adrian  also  busied  himself  with  the  evening 
paper  ;  and  presently  the  station  was  reached 
and  they  left  the  train. 

A  carriage  was  in  waiting  for  them,  driven 
by  men  in  livery,  and  altogether  quite  smart 


NUMBER  526  281 

enough  to  warrant  his  mother's  satisfaction  as 
they  stepped  into  it  and  were  whirled  away  to 
the  prison. 

But  as  he  had  been  forewarned,  there  was 
no  suggestion  of  anything  repulsive  in  the 
charming  apartments  they  entered,  and  his 
sister's  greeting  was  sufficiently  affectionate  to 
make  him  feel  that  he  had  misjudged  her  in 
the  past. 

All  the  guests  were  in  dinner  dress  and 
Adrian  was  appointed  to  take  in  his  own 
mother,  Kate  having  decided  that  this  would 
be  a  happy  surprise  to  both  parties.  They 
had  been  the  last  to  arrive  and  as  soon  as 
greetings  were  over  the  meal  was  immedi- 
ately served  ;  but  on  their  way  toward  the 
dining-room,  Mrs.  Wadislaw  pressed  her  son's 
arm  and  nodded  significantly  toward  the 
leader  of  the  palm-hidden  orchestra. 

"  Take  a  look  at  that  man." 

"Yes.     Who  is  he?" 

"  A  convict,  life  sentence.     Number  526. 
He  plays  divinely,  violin.     But " 


282       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Again  she  hesitated  and  looked  sharply 
into  Adrian's  face.  Should  she,  or  should  she 
not,  tell  him  the  rest?  Yes.  She  must ;  it 
would  be  the  surest,  shortest  way  of  curing 
his  infatuation  for  those  wood  people.  Her 
boy  had  spoken  of  this  Margot  as  a  child,  yet 
with  profound  love  and  admiration.  It  would 
be  as  well  to  nip  any  nonsense  of  that  sort  in 
the  bud.  There  was  only  a  moment  left,  they 
were  already  taking  their  places  at  the  ele- 
gantly appointed  table,  and  she  whispered  the 
rest : 

"  He  is  in  for  robbery  and  manslaughter, — 
your  own  father  the  victim.  His  name  is 
Philip  Romeyn,  and  your  woodland  non- 
pareil is  his  daughter." 


CHAPTER  XXIII 
father  and  son 

"  Mother  !  " 

Adrian's  cry  was  a  gasp.  He  could  not  be- 
lieve that  he  had  heard  aright  ;  but  he  felt 
himself  pulled  down  into  his  chair  and  real- 
ized that  though  his  spiritual  world  had  been 
turned  upside  down,  as  it  were,  this  extraor- 
dinary dinner  must  go  on.  There  was  only 
one  fact  for  which  to  rejoice,  a  trivial  one  :  he 
had  been  placed  so  that  he  could  look  directly 
into  that  palm-decked  alcove  and  upon  this 
convict,  Number  526. 

Convict  !  Impossible.  The  fine  head  was 
not  debased  by  the  close-cropped  hair,  and 
held  itself  erect  as  one  upon  which  no  shadow 
of  guilt  or  disgrace  had  ever  rested.  The  face 
was  noble,  despite  its  lines  and  the  prison 
pallor  ;  and  though  hard  labor  had  bowed  the 

283 


284       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

once  stalwart  shoulders,  they  neither  slouched 
nor  shrunk  together  as  did  those  of  the  other 
poor  men  in  that  group. 

"  Adrian  !  Remember  where  you  are." 
Even  the  bouillon  choked  him  and  the  fish 
was  as  ashes  in  his  mouth.  Courses  came  on 
and  were  removed,  and  he  tasted  each  me- 
chanically, prodded  to  this  duty  by  his 
mother's  active  elbow.  Her  tact  and  volu- 
bility covered  his  silence,  though  there  was 
nobody  at  that  table,  save  herself,  who  did 
not  mentally  set  the  lad  down  as  an  ignorant, 
ill-bred  person,  oddly  unlike  the  others  of  his 
family.  Handsome  ?  Oh  !  yes.  His  appear- 
ance was  quite  correct  and  even  noticeable, 
but  if  a  man  were  too  stupid  to  open  his 
mouth,  save  to  put  food  into  it,  his  place  at  a 
social  function  were  better  filled  by  a  plainer 
and  more  agreeable  person. 

But  all  things  end,  as  even  that  intolerable 
dinner  finally  did,  and  Adrian  was  free  to  rise 
and  in  some  quieter  place  try  to  rearrange  his 
disordered  ideas.     But  he  noticed  that  Kate 


FATHER  AND  SON  285 

signaled  her  mother  to  lead  the  guests  from 
the  room  while  she,  herself,  remained  to 
exchange  a  few  words  with  her  chief  mu- 
sician. Adrian,  also,  lingered,  unreproved, 
with  an  intensity  of  interest  which  fully 
redeemed  his  face  from  that  dulness  which 
his  sister  had  previously  assigned  to  it.  She 
even  smiled  upon  him,  reassuringly  : 

"  You'll  get  used  to  society  after  a  bit, 
brother.  You've  avoided  it  so  much  and 
lived  so  among  those  artists  that  you're 
somewhat  awkward  yet.  But  you'll  do  in 
time,  you'll  do  very  well.  I  mean  to  make  it 
a  point  that  you  shall  attend  all  my  little 
functions." 

But  Adrian  resolved  that  he  would  never 
grace,  or  disgrace,  another  in  this  place, 
though  he  answered  nothing.  Then  the  lady 
turned  to  Number  526,  and  the  boy's  eyes 
fixed  themselves  upon  that  worn  face,  seeking 
resemblances,  trying  to  comprehend  that  this 
unhappy  fellow  was  the  father  of  his  sunny 
Margot. 


286       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

Kate  was  speaking  now  with  an  accent 
intended  to  be  kind,  even  commendatory,  but 
her  brother's  ear  detected,  also,  its  tone  of 
condescension.  Did  the  convict  notice  it,  as 
well  ?     If  so,  his  face  showed  no  sign. 

"  You  did  well,  my  man,  very  well.  I 
think  that  there  might  be  a  bit  more  time 
allowed  for  practice,  and  will  speak  to  the 
warden  about  it,  But  you,  personally,  have 
a  remarkable  gift.  I  hope  you  will  profit  by 
it  to  your  soul's  good.  I  shall  want  you  and 
your  men  again  for  a  time  this  evening.  I 
have  the  warden's  consent  in  the  matter.  A 
few  arias  and  dreamy  waltzes,  perhaps  that 
sonata  which  you  and  1001  played  the  other 
day  at  ray  reception.  Just  your  violin  and 
the  piano.  You  will  undertake  it  ?  The  in- 
struments shall  be  screened,  of  course." 

Adrian  was  leaning  forward,  his  hands 
clenched,  his  lips  parted.  His  gaze  became 
more  and  more  intense.  Suddenly  the  con- 
vict raised  his  own  eyes  and  met  the  youth's 
squarely,  unflinchingly.     They  were  blue  eyes, 


FATHER  AND  SON  287 

pain-dimmed,  but  courageous.  Margot's  eyes, 
in  very  shape  and  color,  as  hers  might  be 
when  life  had  brought  her  sorrow.  Eor  a 
half-minute  the  pair  regarded  one  another, 
moved  by  an  influence  the  elder  man  could 
not  understand  ;  then  Adrian's  hand  went  out 
invitingly,  while  he  said  : 

"  Allow  me  to  thank  you  for  your  music. 
I've  never  heard  a  violin  speak  as  yours 
does.'1 

The  convict  hesitated,  glanced  at  the  war- 
den's lady,  and  replied  : 

"  Probably  because  no  other  violin  has 
been  to  any  other  man  what  this  has  been 
to  me." 

But  he  did  not  take  the  proffered  hand  and, 
with  a  bow  that  would  have  graced  a  drawing- 
room  rather  than  a  cell,  clasped  his  instru- 
ment closely  and  quietly  moved  away. 

Kate  was  inured  to  prison  sights,  yet  even 
she  was  touched  by  this  little  by-play,  though 
she  reproved  her  too  warm-hearted  brother. 

"  Your  generosity  does  you  credit,  dear,  but 


288       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

we  never  shake  the  hand  of  a  prisoner,  ex- 
cept when  he  is  leaving.     Not  always  then." 

"  Kate,  wait  a  minute.  Tell  me  all  about 
that  man.     I  thought  the  prisoners  were  kept 

under  lock   and  key.     I  thought Oh  ! 

it's  so  awful,  so  incredible." 

"  Why,  Adrian  !  How  foolish.  Your 
artistic  temperament,  I  suppose,  and  you 
cannot  help  it.  No.  They  are  by  no  means 
always  kept  so  close.  This  one  is  a  '  trusty.' 
So  were  all  the  orchestra.  So  are  all  whom 
you  see  about  the  house  or  grounds.  This 
man  is  the  model  for  the  whole  prison.  He 
is  worth  more,  in  keeping  order,  than  a  hun- 
dred keepers.  His  influence  is  something 
wonderful,  and  his  life  is  a  living  sermon. 
His  repentance  is  unmistakably  sincere,  and 
his  conduct  will  materially  shorten  his  term, 
yet  it  will  be  a  dark  day  for  the  institution 
when  he  leaves  it.     I  cannot  help  but  like 

him  and  trust  him  ;  and  yet Dear,  dear  ! 

I  must  not  loiter  here.  I  must  get  back  to  my 
guests." 


FATHER  AND  SON  289 

"  Wait,  wait.  There's  something  I  want  to 
ask  you.  To  tell  you,  too.  Do  you  know 
who  that  man  is?  " 

Kate  shivered. 

"  Do  I  not?  Oh!  Adrian,  though  I  have 
brought  myself  to  look  upon  him  so  indul- 
gently now,  it  was  not  so  at  first.  Then  I 
hated  the  sight  of  his  face,  and  could  scarcely 
breathe  in  the  room  where  he  was.  He  is 
under  life-sentence  for  manslaughter  and — 1 
wonder  if  I  ought  to  tell  you  !  But  I  must. 
The  situation  is  so  dramatic,  so  unprecedented. 
The  man  whom  Number  526  tried  to  kill,  and 
whom  he  robbed  of  many  thousands,  was — 
our  own  father  !  " 

He  was  not  even  surprised  and  her  aston- 
ishing statement  fell  pointless,  except  that  he 
shivered  a  little,  as  she  had  done,  and  with- 
drew his  hand  from  her  arm,  where  it  had 
arrested  her  departure. 

"  I  have  heard  that  already.  Mother  told 
me.  But  I  don't  believe  it.  That  man  never, 
never  attempted  or  committed  a  crime.     If  he 


290       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

were  guilty  could  he  lift  his  eyes  to  mine  so 
steadfastly,  I,  the  son  of  my  father?  There 
is  some  horrible,  horrible  mistake.  I  don't 
know  what,  nor  how,  but  there  is.  And  I 
will  find  it  out,  will  set  it  right.  I  must.  I 
shall  never  know  another  moment's  peace 
until  I  do.  Those  eyes  of  his  !  Wh}^  sister, 
do  you  know  that  it  was  little  Margot,  that 
man's  daughter,  who  saved  me  from  starva- 
tion in  the  forest?  Yes,  saved  my  life;  and 
whose  influence  has  turned  me  from  an  idle, 
careless  lad  into — a  man." 

If  any  of  those  critical  guests  could  have 
seen  his  face  at  that  moment  they  would  not 
have  called  him  stupid  ;  and  his  excitement 
communicated  itself  so  strongly  to  his  sister, 
that  she  passed  her  hands  across  her  brow  as 
if  to  clear  her  startled  thoughts. 

"  Impossible.  Fifteen  years  has  Number 
526  lived  a  prison  life,  and  if  there  had  been 
any  mistake,  it  would,  it  must,  have  been  found 
out  long  ago.  Why,  the  man  had  friends, 
rich  ones,  who  spent  great  sums  to  prove  his 


FATHER  AND  SON  291 

innocence  and  failed.  The  evidence  was  too 
strong.  If  he  had  had  his  way  we  two  would 
have  long  been  fatherless.'' 

Kate  turned  to  leave  the  room  but  Adrian 
did  not  follow  her.  The  place  had  become 
intolerable  to  him,  yet  he  blessed  the  chance 
which  had  brought  him  there  to  see  this  un- 
happy fellow-man  and  to  learn  this  amazing 
story.  Now  he  could  not  wait  to  put  dis- 
tance between  himself  and  the  hateful  spot, 
and  to  begin  the  unraveling  of  what  he 
knew,  despite  all  proof,  was  somebody's  terri- 
ble blunder. 

As  cautiously  as  any  convict  of  them  all, 
escaping  from  his  fetters,  the  lad  made  his 
way  into  the  street  and  thence  with  all  speed 
to  the  station.  He  had  picked  up  a  hat  some- 
where, but  was  still  in  full  dress,  and  more 
than  one  glance  fell  with  suspicion  upon  his 
heated  countenance  and  disordered  appear- 
ance. However,  he  was  too  deep  in  his 
own  thoughts  to  observe  this,  and  as  the 
train    rushed    cityward    he   grew  more   calm 


292       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

and     better    able    to    formulate    a    plan    of 
action. 

"  I  begin  to  understand.     This  yearly  visit 
of   the   '  master '   has   been  to   Number   526. 
They  were  close  friends,  and  brothers  by  mar- 
riage.    This  year  he  has  brought  Margot  with 
him.     Will  he,  I  wonder,  will  he  let  her  see 
this  convict  in  stripes?     No  marvel  that  my 
question  as  to  her  father's  burial  place  was  an 
unanswerable  one.     Mother  desired  me  not  to 
mention  the  names  of  my  forest  friends  before 
my  father,  but  in  this  I  must  disobey  her.     I 
dare  not  do  otherwise.     I  must  get  the  whole, 
complete,  detailed  history  of  this  awful  affair, 
and  there  is  nobody  who  could  so  well  re- 
member it  as  its  victim.     But  I  believe  there 
were  two  victims,  and  one  is  suffering  still. 
I   only  hope  that  father's  head   will   not  be 
troubling  him.     I  can't  think  of  him  without 
these  queer  '  spells '  yet  he  has  always  been 
capable  of  transacting  business,  and   I   must 
get  him  to  talk,  even  if  it  does  confuse  him. 
Oh  !  hum  !     Will   we  never   reach  the  city ! 


FATHER  AND  SON  293 

And  where  is  Margot  now  ?  If  I  knew  I 
should  hurry  to  see  her  first ;  but — what  a 
welcome  her  uncle  would  give  me  if  I  suc- 
ceeded in  clearing  her  father's  name.  No 
wonder  he  disliked  me — rather  I  am  astonished 
that  he  let  me  stay  at  all,  knowing  my  name, 
even  if  not  my  parentage.  After  that,  of 
course,  I  had  to  go.  Yet  he  was  kind  and 
just  to  the  last,  despite  his  personal  feeling, 
and  this  poor  Number  526  looks  just  as 
noble." 

The  house  on  Madison  Avenue  was  dark 
when  Adrian  reached  it,  but  he  knew  that 
his  father's  private  room  was  at  the  rear  of 
the  building  and,  admitting  himself  with  his 
latch-key,  went  directly  there. 

The  banker  sat  in  an  attitude  familiar  to  all 
his  family,  with  his  hands  locked  together, 
his  head  bent,  and  his  gaze  fixed  upon 
vacancy.  He  might  have  been  asleep  for 
all  appearances,  but  when  Adrian  entered 
and  bade  "  Good-evening,  father,"  he  re- 
sponded promptly  enough. 


294       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Good-evening,  Adrian.  Has  your  mother 
come  home?  " 

"  No,  father.  I  left— well,  I  left  rather 
suddenly.  In  any  case,  you  know,  she  was 
to  stop  for  the  night  with  Kate.  But  I  came, 
right  after  dinner,  because  I  want  to  have  a 
talk  with  you.  Are  you  equal  to  it,  to-night, 
sir?" 

The  banker  flashed  a  suspicious  glance 
upward,  then  relapsed  into  his  former  pose. 
Memories  of  previous  disagreeable  "  talks " 
with  this,  his  only  son,  arose,  but  Adrian 
anticipated  his  remark. 

"  Nothing  wrong  with  me,  this  time,  father, 
I  hope.  I  am  trying  to  iearn  the  business  and 
to  like  it.     I " 

"  Have  you  any  money,  Adrian  ?  ' 

"  A  little.  What  is  left  of  my  salary ; 
more  than  I  should  have  if  mother  hadn't 
fitted  my  wardrobe  out  so  well.  A  clerk  even 
in  your  bank  doesn't  earn  a  princely  sum,  you 
remember  ;  not  at  first," 

It  was  a  well-known  fact,  upon  the  "  street," 


FATHER  AND  SON  295 

that  the  employees  of  i(  Wadislaw's  "  received 
almost  niggardly  payment.  Wadislaw,  him- 
self had  the  reputation  of  penuriousness,  and 
that  his  family  had  lived  in  the  style  they  had 
was  because  Mrs.  Wadislaw's  personal  income 
paid  expenses. 

"  Put  it  away.  Put  it  away  where  nobody 
can  find  it.  There  are  more  robbers  than 
honest  men  in  the  country.  Once  I  was 
robbed,  myself.  Of  an  enormous  sum.  I 
have  never  recovered  from  that  set-back. 
We  should  not  have  gotten  on  at  all  but  for 
your  mother.  Your  mother  is  a  very  good 
woman,  Adrian." 

•'  Why,  yes,  father.  Of  course.  The  very 
best  in  the  world,  I  believe.  She  has  only 
one  fault,  she  will  make  me  go  into  society, 
and  I  dislike  it.  Otherwise,  she's  simply  per- 
fect." 

"  Yes,  yes.  But  she  watches  me  too  closely, 
boy.  Don't  let  your  wife  be  a  spy  upon  you, 
lad/' 

"  No,  I  won't,"  laughed   he.     "  But  speak- 


296       A  DAUGHTER    OF  THE  FOREST 

ing  of  robberies,  I  wish  you  would  tell  me 
about  that  great  one  which  happened  to  you. 
It  was  when  I  was  too  young  to  know  any- 
thing about  it.  I  have  a  particular  reason  for 
asking.     If  you  are  able,  that  is." 

"  Why  shouldn't  I  be  able  ?  It  is  never 
out  of  my  mind,  night  nor  day.  There  was 
always  a  mystery  in  it.  Yet  I  would  have 
trusted  him  as  I  trusted  myself.  More  than 
I  would  dare  trust  anybody  now,  even  you, 
my  son." 

The  man  was  thoroughly  aroused,  at  last. 
Adrian  began  to  question  if  he  had  done  right 
in  saying  what  would  move  him  so,  knowing 
that  all  excitement  was  apt  to  be  followed  by 
a  "  spell,"  during  which  he  acted  like  a  man 
in  a  dream,  though  never  sleeping. 

But  he  resumed  the  conversation,  volun- 
tarily, and  Adrian  listened  intently. 

"  He  was  a  poor  boy  from  a  country  farm. 
Your  mother  and  the  girls,  were  boarding 
at  his  home.  I  went  up  for  Sundays,  for 
1    liked    his    horses.     1     never    felt    I     could 


FATHER  AND  SON  297 

afford  to  own  one Don't  buy  a  horse, 

Adrian  !  " 

"  No,  father.  Not  yet.  I'm  rather  more 
anxious  to  buy  a  certain  moose  I  know  and 
present  it  to  the  city  Zoo.  King  Madoc.  You 
remember  I  told  you  about  the  trained  animal, 
who  would  swim  and  tow  a  boat,  and  could  be 
harnessed  to  draw  a  sleigh  ?  " 

"  Umm.  Indeed?  Remarkable.  Quite 
remarkable.  But  I  wouldn't  do  it,  boy. 
The  gift  would  not  be  appreciated.  Nobody 
ever  does  appreciate  anything.  It  is  a  selfish 
world.    A  selfish  world,  and  an  ungrateful  one." 

"Not  wholly,  father,.  I  hope." 

"  We  were  talking.  What  about  ?  I — my 
memory — so  much  care,  and  the  difficulty  of 
keeping  secrets.  It's  hard  to  keep  evenTthing 
to  one's  self  when  a  man  grows  old,  Adrian." 

"  Yes,  father  dear.  But  I'm  at  home  now 
to  stay.  You  must  trust  me  more  and  rely 
upon  me.  Believe  me,  I  will  deserve  your 
confidence.  But  it  was  the  boy  from  the  farm 
you  were  telling  me  of,  and  the  horses." 


298       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

In  all  his  life  Adrian  had  never  drawn  so 
near  his  father's  real  self  as  he  was  drawing 
then.  He  rejoiced  in  this  fact  as  a  part  of  the 
reward  of  his  more  filial  behavior.  He  meant 
wholly  what  he  had  just  promised,  but  he  was 
still  most  anxious  to  hear  this  old  story  from 
this  participant's  own  lips,  while  they  were 
together,  undisturbed. 

"  Yes,  yes.  Well,  I  thought  I  could  drive 
a  pair  of  colts  as  well  as  any  jockey,  though  I 
knew  no  more  about  driving  than  any  other 
city  business  man.  Of  course,  they  ran  away, 
and  I  should  have  been  killed,  but  that  little 

shaver Why,  Adrian,  that  little  shaver 

just  sprung  on  the  back  of  one,  from  where 
he'd  been  beside  me  in  the  wagon,  and  he 
held  and  pulled  and  wouldn't  let  go  till  they'd 
quieted  down,  and  then  he  was  thrown  off 
and  nearly  trampled  to  death.  I  wasn't  hurt 
a  bit,  not  a  single  bit.  You'd  think  I'd  be- 
friend such  a  brave,  unselfish  little  chap  as 
that,  wouldn't  you,  lad?" 

Id  the  interest  of  his  recital  Mr.  Wadislaw 


FATHER  AND  SON  299 

had  risen  and  paced  the  floor,  but  he  now  sat 
down  again,  flushed  and  a  bit  confused. 

"  What  did  you  do  for  him,  father?  '; 

"  Hrnrn,  What?  Oh  !  yes.  Found  out  he 
wanted  to  come  to  New  York  and  put  him  to 
school.  Made  a  man  of  him.  Gave  him  a 
place  in  the  bank.  Promoted  him,  promoted 
him,  promoted  him.  Till  lie  got  almost  as 
high  as  I  was  myself.  Trusted  him  with 
everything  even  more  than  myself  for  he 
never  forgot.  It  would  have  been  better  if  he 
had." 

A  long  silence  that  seemed  intolerable  to 
Adrian's  impatience. 

"  Then,  father,  what  next?  " 

"  How  curious  you  are  !  Well,  what  could 
be  next?  except  that  I  went  one  night — or 

day — I  don't  remember — he  went The 

facts  were  all  against  him.  There  was  no 
hope  for  him  from  the  beginning.  If  I  had 
died,  he  would  have  hanged,  that  boy — that 
little  handsome  shaver  who  saved  my  life. 
But  1  didn't  die,  and  he  only  tried  to  kill  me. 


300       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

They  found  him  at  the  safe — we  two,  only, 
knew  the  lock — and  the  iron  bar  in  his  hand. 
He   protested,    of  course.     They    always   do. 

His    wife    came Oh!    Adrian,    I    shall 

never  forget  her  face.  She  was  a  beautiful 
woman,  with  such  curious,  wonderful  hair, 
and  she  had  a  little  baby  in  her  arms,  while 
she  pleaded  that  I  would  not  prosecute.  The 
baby  laughed,  but  what  could  I  do?  The 
law  must  take  its  course.  The  money  was 
gone  and  my  life  almost.  There  was  no  hope 
for  him  from  the  beginning,  though  he  never 
owned  his  guilt.  But  I  didn't  die,  and — 
Adrian,  why  have  you  asked  me  all  this  to- 
night ?     I  am  so  tired.     I  often  am  so  tired." 

The  lad  rose  and  stood  beside  his  father's 
chair,  laying  his  arm  affectionately  around 
the  trembling  shoulders,  as  any  daughter 
might  have  done,  as  none  of  this  stern  father's 
daughters  dared  to  do. 

"  I  have  asked  you,  father,  and  pained  you 
because  it  was  right,  T  had  to  ask.  To-day 
I   have   seen   this  '  little  shaver,'  a  convict  in 


FATHER  AND  SON  301 

his  prison.  I  have  looked  into  a  face  that  is 
still  noble  and  undaunted,  even  after  all  these 
years  of  suffering  and  shame.  I  have  heard 
of  a  life  that  is  as  helpful  behind  prison  bars 
as  the  most  devoted  minister's  outside  them. 
And  I  know  that  he  is  innocent.  He  never 
harmed  you  or  meant  to.  I  am  as  sure  of  this 
as  that  I  stand  here,  and  it  is  my  life's  task  to 
undo  this  wrong  that  has  been  done.  You 
would  be  glad  to  see  him  righted,  would  you 
not,  father?     After  all  this  weary  time?" 

"  I — I  don't — I  am  ill,  Adrian,  I Take 

care !  The  money,  the  bonds !  My  head, 
Adrian,  my  head  !  " 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT 

Upon  reaching  the  New  York  railway  sta- 
tion, Adrian  had  stopped  long  enough  to  send 
his  mother  an  explanatory  telegram,  so  that 
she  might  not  worry  over  his  sudden  disap- 
pearance. He  had  also  urged  her  in  it,  to 
"  make  a  good  visit,  since  he  would  be  at 
home  to  look  after  his  father.' 

In  this  new  consideration  for  the  feelings 
of  others  he  was  now  thankful  that  Mrs. 
Wadislaw  was  away.  "  She  gets  so  anxious 
and  frightened  over  father's  '  spells,'  though  he 
always  comes  out  of  them  well,"  he  reflected  ; 
then  did  what  he  remembered  to  have  seen 
her  do  on  similar  occasions.  He  helped  his 
father  to  the  lounge,  loosened  his  collar, 
bathed  his  head,  and  administered  a  few  drops 
of  a  restorative  kept  near  at  hand. 

302 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  303 

In  a  few  moments  the  banker  sat  up  again 
and  remarked  : 

"It  is  queer  that  no  doctor  can  stop  these 
attacks.  I  never  quite  lose  consciousness,  or 
rather  I  seem  to  be  somebody  else.  I  have  an 
impulse  to  do  things  I  would  not  do  at  other 
times — yet  what  these  things  are  I  do  not 
clearly  remember  when  the  attack  passes. 
But  I  always  feel  better  for  some  days  after 
them.  For  that  reason  I  do  not  dread  them 
as  I  would,  otherwise.  Strange,  that  a  man 
has  to  lose  his  senses  in  order  to  regain  them  ! 
A  paradox,  but  a  fact." 

"  Do  you  have  them  as  often  as  formerly  ?  ' 

"  Oftener,  1  think.  They  are  irregular.  I 
may  feel  one  coming  on  again  within  a  few 
hours  or  it  may  not  be  for  weeks.  The 
trouble  is  that  1  may  be  stricken  some  time 
more  severely  and  fall  senseless  in  some  un- 
safe place." 

"  Don't  fear  about  that,  father.  1  am  at 
home  again,  you  know,  and  shall  keep  you 
well   in   sight.     If  you   would  only  give  up 


304       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

business  and  go  away  to  Europe,  or  some- 
where. Take  a  long  rest.  You  might  re- 
cover entirely  then  and  enjoy  a  ripe  old  age." 

"  I  can't  afford  it,  lad.  If  those  stolen 
bonds — but  what's  the  use  of  recalling  them  ? 
Your  talk  has  brought  my  loss  so  freshly  be- 
fore me.  I  wish  you  hadn't  asked  me  about 
it.  However,  it's  done,  and  it's  late.  Let's 
get  to  bed.  I  must  be  early  at  the  bank,  to- 
morrow. The  builders  are  coming  to  look 
things  over  and  estimate  on  the  cost  of  safe 
deposit  vaults  in  the  basement.  Ours  is  one 
of  the  oldest  buildings  in  the  city  and  every 
inch  of  space  has  increased  in  value  since  it 
was  put  up.  The  waste  room  of  that  base- 
ment should  bring  us  in  a  princely  income, 
if  the  inspector  will  give  the  permit  to  con- 
struct the  vaults.  My  head  must  be  clear 
in  the  morning,  if  ever,  and  I  must  rest  now. 
Good-night." 

Adrian  saw  his  father  to  his  room  and 
sought  his  own,  resolving  to  be  present  at  the 
next  day's  interview  with  the  builders,  and  to 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  305 

give  the  banker  his  own  most  watchful  care. 
But  his  thoughts  soon  returned  to  the  startling 
knowledge  he  had  gained  concerning  Margot's 
history,  and  when  he  fell  asleep,  at  last,  it  was 
to  dream  of  a  prison  on  an  island,  of  his 
mother  in  a  cell,  and  other  most  distressing 
scenes.  So  that  he  awoke  unrefreshed,  and 
in  greater  perplexity  than  ever  as  to  how  he 
could  find  Margot  or  be  of  any  help  to 
Number  526. 

But  Mr.  Wadislaw  seemed  brighter  than 
usual,  and  was  almost  jovial  in  his  discussion 
of  the  proposed  alterations  of  his  property. 

"  You  will  be  a  rich  man,  Adrian,  a  very 
rich  man,  as  I  figure  it.  Money  is  the  main 
thing.  Get  money  and — and — keep  it ;  "  he 
added  with  a  cautious  glance  around  the 
breakfast  room. 

But  there  was  nobody  except  the  old  butler 
to  hear  this  worldly  advice  and  he  had  al- 
ways been  hearing  it.  Adrian,  to  whom  it 
was  given,  heard  it  not  at  all.  He  was  think- 
ing of  his  island  friends  and  wondering  how 


306       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

he  should  find  them.  However,  when  they 
reached  the  bank,  he  rallied  his  wandering 
thoughts  and  gave  strict  attention  to  the  talk 
between  the  banker  and  the  builders,  trying 
to  impress  upon  his  mind  the  dry  facts  and 
figures  which  meant  so  much  to  them. 

"  You  say  that  this  wall  will  have  to  be 
torn  down.  To  reach  bottom  rock.  Why, 
sir,  that  wall  has  stood — Adrian,  what  is  that 
racket    in    the   outer   office?     Stop    it.     The 

porter  should  not  allow But,  sir,  that 

wall  is  as  thick  as  the  safe  built  into  it.  I 
mean " 

Mr.  Wadislaw  passed  his  hand  across  his 
forehead  and  Adrian,  seeing  this  familiar  sign 
of  impending  trouble,  felt  that  his  place  was 
at  his  father's  side  rather  than  in  quelling 
that  slight  disturbance  in  the  adjoining  room. 
He  took  his  stand  behind  the  banker's  chair 
and  rested  his  hand  upon  it. 

Mr.  Wadislaw  cast  a  hurried,  appealing 
glance  upward,  and  the  son  smiled  and 
nodded.     The    contractor    moved    about    the 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  307 

place,  tapping  the  walls,  the  floor,  and  the 
great  chimney  beside  the  safe  ;  pausing  at  this 
spot  and  listening,  tapping  afresh,  listening 
again,  with  a  marked  interest  growing  in  his 
face. 

But  nobody  noticed  this,  for,  suddenly,  the 
door  slid  open  and  there  stood  in  the  aperture 
a  girl  with  wonderful,  flowing  hair  and  a  face 
strangely  stern  and  defiant. 

"  Margot !  " 

But  it  was  not  at  Adrian  she  looked.  At 
last  she  was  in  the  presence  of  the  man  who 
had  ruined  her  father.  And — he  knew  her  ! 
Aye,  knew  her,  though  they  two  had  never 
met  before  and,  as  yet,  she  had  spoken  no  ac- 
cusing word.  For  he  had  sunk  back  in  his 
seat,  his  face  white,  his  eyes  staring,  his  jaw 
dropped.  To  him  she  was  an  apparition,  one 
risen  from  the  dead  to  confront  him  with  the 
darkest  hour  of  all  his  past,  when  a  broken- 
hearted wife  had  kneeled  to  him,  begging  her 
husband's  life.  Yet  it  was  broad  daylight 
and  he  wide  awake. 


308       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Are  you  Malachi  Wadislaw?  " 
"  I — I — thought  you  were  dead  !  " 
"  No,  not  dead.     Alive  and  come  at  last  to 
make    you    right    the   wrong    you   did    my 
father.     To  make  you  open  his  prison  doors 
and  set  him  free." 

"  Are  you  Philip  Romeyn's  wife  ?     Her  hair 

— his  eyes — I — I — am  confused — Adrian  !  ' 

"  Yes,  father.     I  am  here.     Margot !  " 

Her  glance  passed  from  the  father  to  the 

son  but  there  was  no  relenting  kindness  in  it. 

When  the  young  suffer  it  is  profoundly,  and 

the  inmost  depths  of   Margot's  nature  were 

stirred  by  this  first  sight  of  her  father's  enemy. 

"  Philip  Romeyn's  wife  lies  in  the  grave, 

whither  your  persecution  sent  her.     I  am  her 

daughter  and   his,  come  to  make  you  do  a 

tardy  justice.     To  make  you  lead  me  to  the 

place  where  you  have  hidden  the  bonds,  the 

gold,  you  said  he  stole  !     For  if  stealing  was 

done  it  was  by  your  own  hands,  not  his." 

"  Margot — Margot  !     This  is  my  father  !  " 
cried  Adrian,  aghast. 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  309 

"  Yes,  Adrian,  and  my  father — my  father 
— wears  a  convict's  garb  this  day  because  of 
yours  !  " 

"  No,  no  !  No,  no.  I  tried  to  save  him, 
but  he  would  not  save  himself!  I  begged 
him,  almost  on  my  knees  I  begged  him,  the 
little  shaver,  to  confess  and  get  the  benefit  of 
that.  But  he  would  not.  There  was  no 
hope  for  him  from  the  beginning.  None. 
They  found  me  all  but  dead.  The  money 
gone.  He  by  me,  the  steel  rod  in  his  hand 
with  which  we  used  to  fasten  the — that  very 

safe.     I Why,  I   can  see  it  all  as  if  it 

were  to-day,  even  though  they  lifted  me  for 
dead,  and  found  him  standing,  dazed  and 
speechless.  When  they  questioned  him  about 
the  money  he  said  :  '  Ask  Malachi  Wadislaw. 
I  never  touched  it.'  That  was  all.  But  they 
proved  it  against  him.  I  was  dead — almost — 
and  I  was  beggared.  Beggared  !  "  his  voice 
rose  to  a  scream,  "  by  that  brave  little  shaver 
who  had  once — once  saved  my  life.  Robbed 
and  murdered — his  benefactor,  who  had  made 


310       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

him  rich  and  prosperous.  Should  he  not 
suffer?     Aye,  forever  !  " 

The  silence  that  followed  this  speech  was 
intense.  The  builder  ceased  his  inquisitive 
tapping  and  listened  spellbound.  Old  Joe 
stood  rigidly  behind  the  girl  whom  he  had 
followed.  Adrian  scarcely  breathed.  Ac- 
cused and  accuser  faced  one  another,  motion- 
less. 

Then  :  "  Where — was — it  ?  '!  demanded 
Margot.     "  Show  me — the  place." 

u  Here.  Here,  in  this  very  sanctum  to 
which  nobody  had  the  entrance  but  us  two. 
There — is  the  monster  safe  that  was  robbed. 
With  such  another  rod  of  steel  " — he  pointed 
to  a  bar  resting  above  the  safe — "  was  I  struck 
— here."  His  hand  touched  for  an  instant  a 
deep  scar  on  his  temple  and  an  involuntary 
shudder  passed  over  the  girl's  frame. 

But  her  face  did  not  change  nor  the  de- 
fiance of  her  eyes  grow  less.  She  moved  a 
step  forward,  and,  as  if  to  make  way  for  her, 
the  builder,  also,  stepped  aside.     As  he  did  so 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  311 

his  hammer  caught  upon  the  little  ledge  of 
the  chimney  projection  which  he  had  been 
testing  and  whose  hollow  sound  had  aroused 
his  curiosity.  The  small  slab  of  marble 
slipped  and  fell,  though  it  had  seemingly  been 
securely  plastered  in  the  wall.  It  left  an 
aperture  of  a  few  inches,  and  the  contractor 
ejaculated : 

"  Pshaw  !  That's  queer.  Must  have  been 
loose,  I  never  saw  just  such  a  hole  in  such 

a  place.     I'm  sorry,  sir,  yet "     He  turned 

to  address  the  banker  but  paused,  amazed. 
What  had  he  done  ? 

The  effect  of  that  trivial  accident  upon  the 
owner  of  the  building  was  marvelous.  He 
sprang  to  his  feet,  clasped  his  head  with  his 
hands,  and  gazed  upon  that  tiny  opening 
with  the  fascination  of  horror.  For  a  mo- 
ment it  seemed  as  if  his  staring  eyes  would 
start  from  their  sockets  and  he  gasped  in  his 
effort  to  breathe. 

"  Father  !     What  is  it  ?     What  ails  you  ?  " 

But  the  distraught  man  tossed  off  his  son's 


312       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

arm  like  one  who  needed  no  support,  and  to 
whom  each  second  of  delay  was  unendurable. 

"  Look,  look  !  What  they  told  me — I  be- 
lieved— look,  look  ! '  then  he  swayed  and 
Adrian  caught  him. 

But  Margot's  anxious  love  leaped  to  a  swift 
comprehension  of  what  merely  amazed  the 
others. 

"  That  hole  !  The  bonds — the  bonds  are  in 
that  hole !  That's  what  he  means.  Look, 
look  !  " 

Incredulous,  but  impelled  by  her  insistence, 
the  builder  peered  into  the  opening.  It  was 
too  small  to  admit  his  head  and  his  gaze  could 
pass  no  further  than  its  opposite  side. 

"  There's  nothing  there,  miss,  but  a  hole, 
as  he  said." 

She  tossed  him  aside,  not  noticing,  and 
thrust  her  arm  down  as  far  as  it  would  reach. 

"  A  stick,  a  string,  something — quick  !  It 
is  deep." 

Nobody  moved,  till  she  turned  upon  the 
Indian. 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  313 

"  For  the  master,  Joe !  a  string  and  a 
weight.     Quick,  quick  !  " 

The  empty-handed  son  of  the  forest  was  the 
man  who  filled  her  need.  A  new,  well-leaded 
fishing  line  that  had  caught  his  fancy,  passing 
down  the  street,  came  from  his  pocket.  She 
seized,  uncoiled,  and  dropped  it  down  the 
hole. 

"  Oh  !  it  is  so  deep.  But  we  must  get  to 
the  bottom.  We  must,  even  if  I  tear  that  wall 
down  with  my  own  hands.  You'll  help  me, 
Joe,  dear  Joe,  won't  you  ?  For  the  mas- 
ter?" 

He  moved  forward,  instantly,  but  Adrian 
interposed.  He  was  colorless  with  excite- 
ment yet  his  voice  had  the  ring  of  hope  and 
expectation,  as  he  bent  and  looked  into  Mala- 
chi  Wadislaw's  eyes. 

"  Is  she  right,  father?  Do  you  hear  me? 
Is  there  anything  in  that  small  place?  " 

"  I  remember — I  remember.  The  bonds. 
The  bonds  are  safe.  Always — always  keep 
your  money  in  a  hidden " 


314       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

11  God  forbid  !  "  groaned  the  lad.  Then  to 
the  builder,  "  Get  your  men.  Tear  down 
that  wall.  Quick.  A  man's  life  is  at  stake, 
or  more  than  life — his  honor." 

The  contractor  hesitated,  then  remarked  : 

"  Well,  it  won't  weaken  the  building,  as  I 
see  ;  and  we  had  decided  on  the  work.  It 
would  have  to  come  down  anyway." 

He  stepped  to  the  street  and  summoned  a 
waiting  workman.  They  were  skilled  and 
labored  rapidly,  with  little  scattering  of  dust 
or  mortar,  though  Margot  would  not  move 
aside  even  from  that,  but  gave  them  room  for 
working  only,  standing  with  gaze  riveted  on 
that  deepening  shaft.  A  mere  shell  of  single 
bricks,  plastered  and  painted  as  the  remain- 
ing wall,  had  hidden  it ;  and  its  depth  was 
little  below  the  thick-beamed  floor. 

At  last  the  workman  stood  up. 

"  I  think  I  see  the  bottom,  sir,  and  there 
seems  to  be  stuff  in  it.  Would  you  like  to  feel, 
young  man  ?  " 

"  No,  no  !  I !     It  is  I — to  me  the  right — to 


SHE   STOOPED    AND   FLUNG   THEM   OUT 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  315 

find  them  !  "  cried  Margot,  flinging  herself  be- 
tween, and  downward  on  the  floor. 

"  But,  Margot,  little  girl,  don't  he  so  sure. 

It's    scarcely    probable "    began    Adrian, 

compassionately,  shrinking  from  sight  of  her 
bitter  disappointment,  should  disappointment 
come.  Alas  !  it  would  be  almost  as  great  to 
him,  and  whether  a  glad  or  sorry  one  he 
could  not  yet  realize. 

"  His  face !  Look  at  your  father's  face. 
That  tells  the  story.  The  bonds  are  there, 
and  'tis  Philip  Romeyn's  daughter  shall  bring 
them  to  the  light." 

Indeed,  the  banker's  expression  confirmed 
her  faith.  Its  frenzied  eagerness  had  given 
place  to  a  satisfied  expectation,  and  a  normal 
color  tinged  his  cheeks.  But  he  still  watched 
intently,  saying  nothing.. 

"  Catch  them,  Adrian,  catch  them !  But 
hold  them  fast,  the  horrible,  accursed 
things ! " 

One  after  one,  stooping,  the  exultant 
daughter    lifted    and    flung    them  out.     The 


316       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

folded  papers  seemingly  so  worthless  but  of 
such  value  ;  the  little  canvas  bags  of  gold  ; 
the  precious  documents  and  vouchers,  hidden 
from  all  other  men  by  one  unhappy  man,  in 
his  miserly  aberration.  The  price  of  fifteen 
years  of  agony  and  shame.  Now,  fifteen  years 
to  be  forgotten,  and  honor  restored. 

In  that  far  past  Philip  Romeyn's  story  had 
been  simple  and  it  had  been  true.  He  had 
been  unaccountably  anxious  and  had  risen  in 
the  night  and  gone,  to  the  bank.  He  believed 
that  the  safe  had  not  been  locked,  though  he 
had  been  assured  it  should  be  by  Mr.  Wadis- 
law,  the  only  other  person  who  had  a  key  to 
it.  To  his  surprise  he  had  found  the  banker 
in  his  office,  but  in  dire  mishap.  He  was 
lying  on  the  floor,  unconscious,  bleeding  from 
a  wound  upon  his  temple.  The  safe  was 
open,  empty.  The  steel  bar  which,  at  night, 
was  padlocked  upon  it  for  extra  security  lay 
on  the  floor,  beside  the  senseless  man.  Mr. 
Romeyn  had  picked  this  up  and  was  stand- 
ing with   it  in   his  hand,  horrified   and  half- 


A  HIDDEN  SAFE  DEPOSIT  317 

stupefied  by  the  shocking  affair,  when  the 
watchman,  discovering  light  and  noise,  had 
entered  and  found  them.  It  was  his  hasty, 
accusing  voice  which  started  the  cry  of  rob- 
bery and  murder  ;  and  the  circumstances  had 
seemed  so  aggravated,  the  circumstantial  evi- 
dence so  strong,  that  the  judge  had  imposed 
the  heaviest  penalty  within  his  power.  The 
hypothesis  that  Mr.  Wadislaw  had  himself 
put  the  contents  of  the  safe  away,  had  even 
perverted  them  to  his  own  use ;  and  that  he 
had  injured  himself  by  falling  against  the 
sharp  corner  of  the  safe's  heavy  and  open 
door,  had  been  set  aside  as  too  trivial  for  con- 
sideration. 

The  hypothesis  had  been  correct,  the  cir- 
cumstantial evidence  incorrect  ;  yet  in  the 
name  of  justice,  the  latter  had  prevailed. 

"  Count  them !  have  you  counted  them, 
Adrian  ?  " 

"Yes,  Margot.  It  is  all  here.  The  very 
sum  of  which  I  have  so  often  heard.  Thank 
God,  that  it  is  found  !  " 


318       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"My  father!  Come,  Joe,  we're  going  to 
my  father." 

"  And  I  go  with  you.  In  my  father's  name 
and  to  begin  his  lifelong  reparation." 


CHAPTER  XXV 

THE  MELODY  AND    MYSTERY  OF  LIFE 

Swift  the  way  and  joyous  now,  that  same 
road  over  which  Adrian  had  journeyed  on  the 
day  before,  so  grudgingly.  Yet  not  half  swift 
enough  that  through  express  by  which  they 
left  the  city  limits  for  the  little  town  of  Sing 
Sing,  or  as  would  have  better  suited  Indian 
Joe,  of  Ossining.  Scene  of  so  many  tragedies 
and  broken  hearts ;  to  be,  to-day,  a  scene  of 
unutterable  gladness. 

Margot's  eyes  were  on  the  flying  landscape, 
counting  the  lessening  landmarks  as  one 
counts  off  the  stitches  of  a  tedious  seam,  and 
with  each  mile  of  progress  her  impatience 
growing. 

11  Oh  !  Adrian  !  shall  we  never  be  there  !  1 
can  hardly  breathe.  My  heart  beats  so — I 
cannot  wait,  I  cannot !  " 

319 


320       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

In  the  seat  behind  them  Joe  still  carefully 
held  the  old-fashioned  shawl  and  bonnet, 
which  Angelique  had  decided  her  young 
traveler  should — but  never  would — wear. 
Her  hair  was  out  of  that  decorous  plait 
which  had  been  commanded,  and  there  had 
been  neither  time  nor  friend  to  substitute 
new  clothes  for  old.  Therefore,  it  was  just  as 
she  looked  in  the  woodland  that  Margot 
looked  now  when  she  was  first  to  meet  her 
father's  eyes ;  and  neither  she,  nor  even 
Adrian,  cared  one  whit  for  the  curious 
glances  which  scrutinized  her  unusual,  com- 
fortable attire. 

What  were  clothes?  Money  could  soon 
buy  those,  if  they  were  needed,  and  there 
would  be  money  abundant,  Adrian  thought, 
fingering  the  "  specimens "  which  the  girl 
desired  old  Joseph  to  produce  from  that 
wonderful  pocket  of  his,  which  held  so  few, 
yet  just  the  very  things  that  were  important. 

"  Copper,  Margot,  I'm  sure  of  it.  I  have 
a  friend,  a  man  who  deals  in  mining  stocks, 


THE  MELODY  AND  MYSTERY  OF  LIFE  321 

and  I've  seen  samples  at  his  office  which  do 
not  look  as  pure  to  me  as  this." 

"  These  pieces  came  from  the  deep  cave 
under  the  island.  Where  I  was  that  day 
during  the  great  storm,  the  day  you  came  to 
us.  I  don't  see  why  there  shouldn't  be  plenty 
of  the  metal  there,  for  we're  in  nearly  the 
same  latitude  as  the  copper  regions  of  the 
great  lakes.  I  hope  we  may  find  it  in  large 
enough  quantities  to  pay  for  getting  it  out.,, 

Adrian  was  surprised  and  not  wholly 
pleased  by  what  seemed  a  mercenary  taint 
upon  her  fine  character,  but  was  ashamed  of 
his  momentary  misjudgment  when  she  added  : 

"  Because,  you  see,  we've  suffered  so  much 
for  money's  sake  that  we  want  to  use  it  our- 
selves to  make  other  people  happy.  I  know 
what  I  will  do  with  it,  if  I  ever  have  much, 
or  even  little." 

"  What  is  that  ?  " 

"  I  will  use  it  to  defend  the  wrongfully  im- 
prisoned. To  help  the  poor  men  when  they 
come  out,  even  if  they  have  been  wicked  once. 


322       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

To  comfort  the  families  of  those  who  suffer 
disgrace  and  poverty.  To  forward  justice — 
justice.     Oh  !  Adrian,  how  far  now  ?  " 

"  Fifteen  minutes,  now.  Only  fifteen  min- 
utes !  " 

"  They  will  never  pass  !  They  are  longer 
than  the  fifteen  years  of  my  ignorance,  when  I 
didn't  know  I  had  a  father.  My  father.  My 
father." 

Over  and  over,  she  said  the  words  softly, 
caressingly,  as  if  she  could  never  have 
enough  of  all  the}7  meant  to  her ;  and  the 
listening  lad  asked  once,  a  trifle  warningly  : 

"  Are  you  not  at  all  afraid,  Margot,  that 
this  unknown  father  will  be  different  from 
your  anticipations  ?  Remember,  though  so 
close  of  kin,  you  are  still  strangers." 

"  Why,  Adrian  !  My  mother  loved  him 
and  my  uncle.  I  love  him,  too,  unknowing ; 
but  I  tell  you  now,  this  minute,  if  I  found 
him  all  that  was  bad  and  repulsive,  I  should 
still  love  him  and  all  the  more.  So  love  him 
that  he  would  grow  good  again  and  forget  all 


THE  MELODY  AND  MYSTERY  OF  LIFE  323 

the  evil  he  must  have  seen  in  that  evil  place. 
For  he  is  my  father,  my  father." 

"  Have  no  fear,  I  only  meant  to  try  you. 
He  is  all  that  you  dream  and  more.  He  has 
the  noblest  face  I  ever  looked  on  ;  yes,  not 
even  excepting  your  uncle's." 

"  What?  you — have  seen  him  ?  " 

"  Yes.  Yesterday ;  "  at  which  she  sat  in 
silent  wonder  till  he  said :  "  Now  come. 
We're  there  !  " 

When  they  stepped  out  at  the  final  station 
Adrian  called  for  the  swiftest  horses  waiting 
possible  fares,  and  burst  in  upon  his  sister's 
presence  with  the  demand,  almost  breath- 
lessly spoken  : 

"  Number    526,    at    once,   Kate.      This   is 

Margot Ah !    mother  !      Margot !     The 

money's    found — Number    526 — quick  !  ' 

The  excitement  was  all  his  by  then.  The 
girl  to  whom  this  moment  was  so  much  more 
eventful  stood  pale  and  quiet,  with  a  luminous 
joy  in  her  blue  eyes  that  was  more  pathetic 
than  tears. 


324       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

"  Adrian,  are  you  crazy  ?  Upon  my  word, 
I  almost  believe  you  are  !  Running  away  as 
you  did  last  night  and  coming  back  again  to- 
day, in  this  wild  fashion.  What  do  you 
mean  ?  Who  is  this — this  young  person  ? 
And  what  in  the  world  do  you,  can  you,  pos- 
sibly, want  of  Number  526  ?  " 

He  paid  no  attention  to  her  many  ques- 
tions, nor  even  to  his  mother  who  clutched  his 
arm  in  extreme  agitation.  He  had  caught 
the  tones  of  a  violin  played  softly,  tenderly, 
and  oh  !  so  sadly. 

"  Yes,  that's  Number  526,  since  you  wish 
to  see  him,  though  it's  quite  against  the  rules 
and — he's  practicing  with  his  men " 

"  Come,  Margot.     Come." 

The  player  was  in  the  little  alcove  behind 
the  screen  and  palms,  and  did  not  even  look 
up  as  the  two  entered  his  presence,  for  his 
own  soul  had  floated  far  away  from  that  dread 
place,  on  the  strains  of  that  music  which  no 
prison  bars  could  confine. 

"  Father  !  " 


•MY  FATHER:    I    HAVE  COME 


THE  MELODY  AND  MYSTERY  OF  LIFE  325 

The  music  ceased,  but  only  for  an  instant. 
Once  the  player  had  heard  a  voice  like  that 
— clear,  sweet,  exquisitely  modulated.  The 
voice  of  the  wife  he  had  loved,  silent  in  death 
these  many  years.  But  the  tone  had  been 
sufficient  to  stir  his  soul  to  even  deeper  har- 
monies :  and  he  stood  there  forgetful  of  his 
shaven  head,  his  prison  stripes,  once  more  a 
man  among  men. 

"  Father  !  My  father !  I  have  come  ! 
Margot,  baby  Margot !  Come  to  set  you 
free !  " 

Her  arms  were  about  his  neck,  her  wet  face 
pressed  close  to  his,  her  tender  kisses  poured 
upon  his  lips,  his  dazed,  unseeing  eyes,  his 
trembling  shoulders. 

Then  he  put  out  his  hand  and  held  her 
from  him,  that  he  might  the  better  see  her 
fairness,  hear  her  marvelous  story — told  in 
few  words,  and  comprehend  what  was  the 
merciful,  the  Heaven-sent  bliss  that  had  come 
to  him. 

"  Cecily  !     Margot  !     My  daughter  with  her 


,326       A  DAUGHTER   OF  THE  FOREST 

mother's    face  !      Free  !      Free  !      Oh  !     God, 
support  me!" 

The  indomitable  courage  which  suffering 
had  had  no  power  to  weaken  failed  in  this 
supreme  moment ;  and  as,  in  his  hours  of 
darkness,  he  had  clung  to  his  music  for  sus- 
tenance so  he  turned  to  it  now.  He  pressed 
his  violin  to  his  shoulder,  leaned  his  cheek 
upon  it,  and  from  its  quivering  strings  drew 
out  in  melody  the  story  of  his  fifteen  years. 
All  the  bitterness,  the  sadness,  the  sweetness  ; 
and  that  exalted  faith  which  had  made  the 
mystery  of  his  life,  and  his  shame,  almost 
divine. 

Blinded  by  their  own  tears,  one  by  one,  the 
others  left  them,  and  when  the  last  strain 
ended  in  a  burst  of  joyous  victory,  there  were 
but  two  to  hear  it — parent  and  child. 

Adrian  watched  the  train  that  bore  them 
homeward  roll  away,  with  a  heart  both  heavy 
and  glad.  In  fancy  he  could  see  them  reach 
that  journey's  end  ;  with  brother  clasping  the 


THE  MELODY  AND  MYSTERY  OF  LIFE  327 

hand  of  brother,  the  silent,  wonderful  forest 
receiving  them  into  its  restful  solitude.  He 
could  see  that  great  room  which  had  waited 
for  its  occupant  so  many  years,  and  which 
was  now  all  aglow  from  its  flame-filled  fire- 
place, and  redolent  with  wild  flowers.  He 
could  see  the  wide  couch  drawn  up  before  the 
hearth  and  a  toil-worn  man,  who  had  not 
rested  before  in  fifteen  years,  lying  there  with 
grateful,  adoring  eyes  fixed  upon  that  pictured 
Face  of  The  Man  of  Sorrows. 

There  was  a  girl  in  the  room,  moving  every- 
where in  needless,  tender  care  that  nothing 
should  be  wanting.  As  if  anything  ever 
could  be  wanting  where  Margot  was  !  The 
innocent,  great-hearted  child  of  nature,  whose 
love  no  obstacle  could  overcome,  and  who 
hesitated  at  no  danger  for  love's  sweet  sake. 


"Best  "Books 

FOR  'BOYS  AND  GIRLS 


A 


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STORIES  FOR  GIRLS 


Earning  Her   Way 

<By  cMrs*  Clarke  Johnson  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

A  charming  story  of  an  ambitious  girl  who  overcomes  in  a 
most  original  manner,  many  obstacles  that  stand  in  the  way 
of  securing  a  college  course.  While  many  of  her  experiences 
are  of  a  practical  nature  and  show  a  brave,  self-reliant  spirit, 
some  of  her  escapades  and  adventures  are  most  exciting,  yet 
surrounding  the  whole  there  is  an  atmosphere  of  refinement 
and  inspiration  that  is  most  helpful  and  pleasing. 

Her  College  Days 

^By  cMrs.  Clarke  Johnson  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

This  is  a  most  interesting  and  healthful  tale  of  a  girl's  life  in  a 
New  England  college.  The  trustful  and  unbounded  love  of 
the  heroine  for  her  mother  and  the  mutual  and  self-sacrificing 
devotion  of  the  mother  to  the  daughter  are  so  beautifully  in- 
terwoven with  the  varied  occurrences  and  exciting  incidents  of 
college  life  as  to  leave  a  most  wholesome  impression  upon 
the  mind  and  heart  of  the  reader. 

Two  Wyoming  Girls 

^By  cMrs.  Carrie  L.  cMarshall        Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

Two  girls,  thrown  upon  their  own  resources,  are  obliged  to 
'*  prove  up  "  their  homestead  claim.  This  would  be  no  very 
serious  matter  were  it  not  for  the  persecution  of  an  unscru- 
pulous neighbor,  who  wishes  to  appropriate  the  property  to 
his  own  use.  The  girls  endure  many  privations,  have  a  num- 
ber of  thrilling  adventures,  but  finally  secure  their  claim  and 
are  generally  well  rewarded  for  their  courage  and  persever* 
ance 


The  Girl  cRanchers 

*By  cMrs.  Carrie  L.  cMarsbatt        Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

A  story  of  life  on  a  sheep  ranch  in  Montana,  The  dangers 
and  difficulties  incident  to  such  a  life  are  vividly  pictured,  and 
the  interest  in  the  story  is  enhanced  by  the  fact  that  the  ranch 
is  managed  almost  entirely  by  two  young  girls.  By  their 
energy  and  pluck,  coupled  with  courage,  kindness,  and  un- 
selfishness they  succeed  in  disarming  the  animosity  of  the 
neighboring  cattle  ranchers,  and  their  enterprise  eventually 
results  successfully. 

cA  EMaid  at  King  cAlfred's  Court 

"By  Lucy  Foster  SMadison  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

This  is  a  strong  and  well  told  tale  of  the  9th  century.  It  is  a 
faithful  portrayal  of  the  times,  and  is  replete  with  historical 
information.  The  trying  experiences  through  which  the  little 
heroine  passes,  until  she  finally  becomes  one  of  the  great 
Alfred's  family,  are  most  entertainingly  set  forth.  Nothing 
short  of  a  careful  study  of  the  history  of  the  period  will  give 
so  clear  a  knowledge  of  this  little  known  age  as  the  reading 
of  this  book. 

cA  cMaid  of  the  First  Century 

<By  Lucy  Foster  cMadison  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

A  little  maid  of  Palestine  goes  in  search  of  her  father,  who 
for  political  reasons,  has  been  taken  as  a  slave  to  Rome.  She 
is  shipwrecked  in  the  Mediterranean,  but  is  rescued  by  a 
passing  vessel  bound  for  Britain.  Eventually  an  opportunity  is 
afforded  her  for  going  to  Rome,  where,  after  many  trying  and 
exciting  experiences,  she  and  her  father  are  united  and  his 
liberty  is  restored  to  him. 


<A  Yankee  Girl  in   Old  California 

^By  Evelyn  Raymond  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

A  young  girl,  reared  among  most  delightful  surroundings  in 
Vermont,  suddenly  discovers  that,  owing  to  a  clause  in  her 
father's  will,  she  must  make  her  future  home  with  relatives 
in  the  lower  portion  of  old  California.  No  more  interesting 
experience  could  come  in  the  life  of  any  bright,  observing 
girl  than  that  of  an  existence  in  this  semi-tropical  region,  with 
its  wealth  of  Spanish  tradition  and  romance,  its  glorious  cli- 
mate, its  grand  scenery,  and  its  abundance  of  flowers  and 
foliage. 

My  Lady  "Barefoot 

2?V  cMrs.  Evelyn  Raymond  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

\  beautifully  told  story  of  the  trials  of  a  little  backwoods  girl 
who  lives  in  a  secluded  place  with  an  eccentric  uncle,  until* his 
death.  The  privations  she  undergoes  during  his  life-time,  her 
search  for  other  relatives,  her  rather  uncongenial  abode  with 
them,  her  return  to  her  early  home  to  acquire  her  uncle's 
estate,  and  thus  to  enjoy  a  useful  and  happy  life,  form  a  most 
.interesting  narrative  of  a  girl  whose  ruggedness  and  simplicity 
of  character  must  appeal  to  the  admiration  of  all  readers. 

TheFerry  cMaidofthe  Chattahoochee 

"By  c/lnnie  cM.  Barnes  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

An  heroic  little  Georgia  girl,  in  her  father's  extremity,  takes 
charge  of  his  ferry,  and  through  many  vicissitudes  and  several 
impending  calamities,  succeeds  in  carrying  out  her  purpose  of 
supporting  her  invalid  parent  and  his  family.  The  heroine's 
cheerfulness  and  hearty  good  humor,  combined  with  an  un- 
flinching zeal  in  her  determination  to  accomplish  her  work, 
make  a  character  which  cannot  fail  to  aDpeal  to  young  people. 


Dorothy  Vay 

*By  Julie  3/1.  Lippmann  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

This  is  a  most  interesting  story  of  a  bright  and  spirited  young 
firl  whose  widowed  mother  re-marries.  The  impulsive  girl 
chafes  under  the  new  relationship,  being  unwilling  to  share 
with  another  the  bounteous  love  of  her  mother  which  she  had 
learned  to  claim  wholly  for  her  own.  By  the  exercise  of  great 
tact  and  kindness,  the  obdurate  Dorothy  is  at  last  won  over, 
and  becomes  a  most  estimable  girl. 

SMiss  Wildfire 

'By  Julie  cM.  Lippmann  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

The  story  of  a  governess'  attempt  to  win  the  love  and  confi- 
dence of  her  ward,  who,  owing  to  a  lack  of  early  restraint,  is 
inclined  to  be  somewhat  of  a  hoyden.  The  development  of 
the  girl's  character  and  her  eventual  victory  over  her  turbu- 
lent disposition  combine  to  form  a  story  of  unusual  merit  and 
one  which  will  hold  its  reader's  eager  attention  throughout. 
"  A  story  of  girls  for  girls  that  teaches  a  moral  without 
labeling  or  tagging  it  at  the  end."  —  Western  Christian 
Advocate,  Cincinnati,  O. 

Her  Father  s  Legacy 

*By  Helen  Sherman  Griffith  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

Suddenly  bereft  of  father  and  fortune,  a  young  girl  finds  her- 
self face  to  face  with  the  world.  Except  for  a  deed  to  some 
waste  land,  there  is  practically  no  estate  whatever.  To  make 
matters  worse,  the  executor  of  the  estate  endeavors  to  appro- 
priate the  deed  to  the  land.  The  heroine  engages  in  a  long 
and  heroic  struggle  for  its  possession.  She  succeeds  in 
regaining  it,  and  the  land  itself  proves  to  be  most  valuable 
because  of  its  location  in  a  rich  oil-producing  district. 


<An  Odd  Little  Lass 

^By  Jessie  E*  Wright  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

This  is  a  story  of  the  regeneration  of  a  little  street  waif,  She 
begins  life  in  a  lowly  court  of  a  large  city,  Her  adventures 
are  numerous,  and  often  quite  exciting.  After  a  time  she 
is  transplanted  to  the  country,  where  alter  many  thrilling 
experiences  she  eventually  grows  into  a  useful  and  lovable 
young  woman.  The  story  is  pleasantly  told,  and  abounds 
in  interesting  incident. 

"  The  story  is  an  intensely  interesting  one,  and  abounds  in 
pleasing  and  unique  situations." — Religious  Telescope,  Dayton, 
Ohio. 

<An  Everyday  Heroine 

<By  cMary  <A.  Venison  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

The  heroine  is  not  an  impossible  character  but  only  a  pure, 
winsome,  earnest  girl,  who  at  fourteen  years  of  age  is  sud- 
denly bereft  of  fortune  and  father  and  becomes  the  chief  sup- 
port of  a  semi-invalid  mother.  While  there  are  many  touching 
scenes,  the  story  as  a  whole  is  bright  and  cheerful  and  moves 
forward  with  a  naturalness  and  ease  that  carries  its  read- 
ers along  and  makes  them  reluctant  to  put  down  the  book 
until  the  end  is  reached 


STORIES  FOR  "BOYS 
The  *Boer  'Boy  of  the  Transvaal 

"By  Kate  SMilner  ^abb  Illustrated  by  K  A.  Carter 

The  career  of  the  Boer  boy  is  one  series  of  exciting-  adven- 
tures. In  the  gailant  service  for  his  country  he  comes  face  to 
face  with  President  Kruger,  General  Cronje,  and  General  Jou- 
bert.  Much  interesting  information  pertaining  to  this  country 
and  its  people  is  introduced,  and  the  reader  will  understand  as 
never  before  the  cause  of  the  intense  hatred  of  the  Boers  for 
the  British. 

Uncrowning  a  King 

'By  EdwardS.  Ellis,  <A.  cM.  Illustrated  by  J*  Steeple  Davis 

A  tale  of  the  Indian  war  waged  by  King  Philip  in  1675.  The 
adventures  of  the  young  hero  during  that  eventful  period,  his 
efforts  in  behalf  of  the  attacked  towns,  his  capture  by  the 
Indians,  and  his  subsequent  release  through  the  efforts  of 
King  Philip  himself,  with  a  vivid  account  of  the  tragic  death 
of  that-renowned  Indian  chieftain,  form  a  most  interesting  and 
instructive  story  of  the  early  days  of  the  colonies. 

c4t  the  Siege  of  Quebec 

^By  James  Otis  Illustrated  by  F.  cA.  Carter 

Two  boys  living  on  the  Kennebec  River  join  Benedict  Ar- 
nold's expedition  as  it  passes  their  dwelling  en  route  for  the 
Canadian  border.  They,  with  their  command,  are  taken  pris- 
oners before  Quebec.  The  description  of  the  terrible  march 
through  the  wilderness,  the  incidents  of  the  siege,  and  the  dis- 
astrous assault,  which  cost  the  gallant  General  Montgomery 
his  life,  are  in  the  highest  degree  thrilling,  while  at  the  same 
time  true  in  every  particular. 


In  the  'Days  of  Washington 

By  William  cMurray  Gray  don    Illustrated  by  J*  C.  Ctaghorn 

The  story  opens  in  Philadelphia  just  prior  to  its  evacuation  by 
the  British  in  1778.  Nathan  Stanbury,  a  bright  lad  of  seven- 
teen,  joins  the  Continental  Army  which  is  then  suffering  the 
hardships  of  the  winter  at  Valley  Forge.  A  short  time  later 
the  Battle  of  Monmouth  is  fought,  and  in  this  the  young  hero 
figures  quite  prominently,  as  he  does  afterward  at  the  Massa- 
cre of  Wyoming. 

On  Wood  Ccfre  Island 

<By  Elbridge  5.  brooks       Illustrated  by  Frederic  J.  'Boston 

A  trio  of  bright  New  England  children  are  given  an  island 
on  which  to  spend  their  summer  vacation.  Here  they  es- 
tablish a  little  colony,  the  management  of  which  gives  them 
a  large  amount  of  amusement  and  at  times  causes  some 
seemingly  serious  difficulties.  In  the  solution  of  their  per- 
plexing problems  the  young  people  receive  much  encourage- 
ment and  counsel  from  the  poet  Longfellow,  whose  delightful 
acquaintance  they  form  in  a  very  unexpected  and  amusing 
manner. 

Under  the  Tamaracks 

By  Elbridge  S.  "Brooks  Illustrated 

An  interesting  and  healthful  story  for  boys  and  girls,  repre- 
senting a  summer's  outing  of  young  people  among  the 
Thousand  Islands.  It  is  timed  to  include  the  visit  of  General 
Grant  at  Alexandria  Bay,  and  several  interesting  conversa- 
dons  between  one  of  the  boys  and  the  hero  of  the  Rebellion 
shed  pleasing  side  lights  upon  the  great  General's  character. 

•  "  General  Grant's  talks  with  the  heroes  will  captivate  the 
heart  of  every  boy.'"'™  Teachers'  World t  New  York. 


The   Wreck  of  the  Sea  Lion 

<By  W.  0.  Stoddard  Illustrated  by  John  H.  "Belts 

Tales  of  the  sea  are  always  fascinating  to  young  people,  espe- 
cially when  some  active,  adventuresome  boys  supply  plenty  of 
thrilling  escapades  to  add  to  the  interest.  The  story  of  an 
eventful  cruise  in  Southern  waters,  as  told  by  an  old  sea  cap- 
tain, and  the  ludicrous  boastings  and  experiments  of  a  would- 
be  scientist,  constitute  a  pleasing  variety  of  incident,  and 
afford  just  that  amount  of  instructive  material  needed  to  make 
a  perfect  book  for  young  readers. 

The   Young  Financier 

"By  W.  0.  Stoddard  Illustrated  by  John  H.  "Beits 

A  unique  story,  the  scene  of  which  is  laid  in  the  money  centre 
of  New  York  City.  The  young  hero  begins  life  as  a  broker's 
messenger  and  passing  rapidly  from  one  post  to  another  in 
good  time  rises  to  a  position  of  importance  and  responsibility. 
Numerous  exciting  experiences  incident  to  the  eventual  suc- 
cess in  his  business  career  all  combine  to  form  a  most 
interesting  narrative. 

True  to  His  Trust 

"By  Edward  S.  Ellis,  <A.  €M.  Illustrated  by  J.  Steeple  T>avis 

The  hero  of  this  story  will  win  his  way  at  once  into  the  heart 
of  every  one,  and  his  pluck  and  perseverance  will  carry  the 
sympathy  of  every  reader  through  his  many  adventures,  strug- 
gles, and  singular  experiences.  Like  all  of  the  author's  works, 
the  incidents  teach  in  the  most  convincing  manner  that  true 
manliness  and  sturdy  integrity  are  the  only  principles  through 
which  happiness  and  success  in  life  are  possible. 


Comrades  ^rue 

<By  Edward  5,  Ellis,  <A.  €M.  Illustrated 

In  following  the  career  of  two  friends  from  youth  to  manhood, 
the  author  weaves  a  narrative  of  intense  interest.  This 
story  is  more  realistic  than  is  usual,  as  the  two  heroes  pass 
through  the  calamitous  forest  fires  in  Northern  Minnesota  and 
barely  escape  with  their  lives.  They  have  other  thrilling  ad- 
ventures and  experiences  in  which  the  characteristics  of  each 
are  finely  portrayed. 

"  Among  juveniles  there  is  not  one  of  greater  interest,  or 
more  wholesome  influence  than  '  Comrades  True.'  " — Sentinel, 
Milwaukee,  Wis. 

• 

(Among  the  Esquimaux 

<By  Edward  S.  Ellis,  cA.  SM.  Illustrated 

The  scenes  of  this  story  are  laid  in  the  Arctic  region,  the  cen- 
tral characters  being  two  sturdy  boys  whose  adventurous  spirit 
often  leads  them  into  dangerous  positions.  They  visit  Green- 
land;  go  on  a  hunting  expedition,  have  a  number  of  stirring 
adventures,  but  ultimately  reach  home  safe  and  sound. 

"  A  capital  and  instructive  book  for  boys." — Post,  Boston, 
Mass. 

The  Campers  Out 

"By  EdwardS.  Ellis,  cA.  £M.  Illustrated 

Many  of  the  scenes  are  so  vividly  described  that  the  reader 
can,  in  his  imagination,  enjoy  the  excitement  of  the  chase  and 
all  the  pleasures  of  a  good  camping  tour.  In  addition  to  the 
vivid  descriptions  of  many  exciting  adventures,  this  story 
teaches  a  lesson  in  morals  that  cannot  fail  to  prove  helpful  to 
every  reader. 

11  Well  planned  and  well  written.     Full  of  adventure  of  just  the 
right  sort.' '—Mid-  Continent,  St.  Louis,  Mo.       \ 


& 


